August 20 - Erica Kerner, Global Olympic Games director and head of London 2012 for Adidas, is quitting the German sports manufacturer to take up a new role in Hong Kong less than a year before the Games are due to open.

She is to join Polo Ralph Lauren in the newly created position of vice-president - marketing.

Kerner, who has been with Adidas since August 2004 and oversaw the company's sponsorship of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, is due to leave next month.

Before joining Adidas, Kerner spent 10 years with their great rivals, Nike, as director of international marketing for retail.

Her most high-profile position in that role was overseeing the team that designed and opened Niketown Store in London's Oxford Circus.

She was officially appointed to lead Adidas' Tier One sponsorship of London 2012 in January 2009.

Among her roles has been working closely with Stella McCartney as Adidas' creative director for Team GB.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Duncan Mackay