Olympic sponsors face of the brand image of protest can be well.

Adidas (Adidas) (ADSG.DE: Quote) chief executive (CEO) told its shareholders on Thursday, the Olympic torch relay protests occurred in the course of its brand image did not cause direct harm, but would not rule out .negative impact on the future. .The world's second-largest sporting goods maker Adidas, the Beijing Olympic Games is one of 12 official sponsors, with the global powers to use the Olympic logo. .Violence in Tibet in March this year, followed by pro-Tibet, sabotage the Olympic torch in London, Paris and other cities of the transfer ceremony. .The role of Olympic sponsors that ignited controversy. .CEO Herbert Hainer, said at the annual meeting, "has not yet found damage to our image," but he said that this situation might change. .Hainer added that Adidas employment in China, which is the way of their support. .Adidas has said that to understand "the special importance of protecting human rights," but by the Olympic sponsors should address the political issues, boycott is a bad consequence. .Using the annual meeting of the critics expressed their concerns. .But advertisers that Adidas will invest several million in advertising during the Olympics costs would not withdraw, but may be under pressure to China's human rights record and Tibetan separatist elements to comment on protests. .Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) CEO, told its shareholders last month that he had urged the Chinese government to open up society. .Volkswagen is the first car manufacturer to enter China, but also the 2008 Olympic Games one of the sponsors. .</ P>.