Clijsters to miss Olympics

Kim Clijsters will not represent Belgium at next year’s Olympic Games after a dispute over sponsored clothing.

The world number two said she would stay loyal to her own clothing sponsor rather than wear a rival company’s official Belgian uniform in Athens.

“I’ve decided not to go to the Olympic Games,” said Clijsters.

“I want to remain fair to the people I made a contract with. They were the only ones interested in me two years ago.”

Clijsters is sponsored by Fila while the Belgian team will be kitted out by Adidas, who already sponsor world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne.

“I sure hope Justine takes gold in Athens and that the others take a lot of medals as well,” Clijsters added on her official website, www.kimclijsters.com. “I will certainly be cheering for them.”