Financial services group Aegon is to stop sponsoring skating after this winter season, ending 25 years of financial support for the sport.

Aegon said its decision was prompted by the economic situation. ‘Even though things may be improving, the current economic situation dictates that Aegon must look very closely at its costs,’ said communications director Jan Driessen.
‘Over the past 25 years, skating has become Aegon and Aegon skating… but unfortunately reality leaves us little other choice,’ he said.
Telecoms company KPN is to take over as main sponsor of the skating association KNSB from summer 2010. The company has signed a four year contract and will be involved with ice dance and figure skating as well as speed skating, the Telegraaf reports.