New Delhi, July 17 (IANS): Herbalife International India, a global premier nutrition company, has entered into a two-year exclusive partnership with Indian Olympic Association to be the official nutrition sponsor of the Indian Olympic contingent to Rio De Janeiro.

“Sports sponsorships is the ethos of Herbalife. The sponsorship of the India Olympic team marks a significant milestone in the chapters of Herbalife India and our sports sponsorship program as this is the first for the Indian affiliate to sponsor the country's national Olympic team," Ajay Khanna - Vice President and General Manager, Herbalife International India, said in a statement.

Beginning with the Rio Olympics, Herbalife is mulling a long-term partnership with Indian Olympic Association in an effort to identify sports federations for development of sports and its athletes.

Another significant area where the partnership will play a crucial role is nutrition, a key element in a sportsperson's life, involving nutrition education and knowledge forums for athletes of various federations.

Commenting on the partnership, an IOA official said: “The coming together of Herbalife and Indian Olympic Association marks a new chapter in Indian sports sharing a common vision of holistic development of sports through nutrition. The synergistic vision will go a long way in comprehensive development of sports and development.”

Herbalife will work with various sporting federations after the Olympics are over to to help with nutrition needs of various athletes training for the Olympics and other events they participate in.