Tennis star Kim Clijsters is pulling out of next summer's Athens Olympics because she won't be allowed to wear apparel from her own sponsor.

In comments on her Web site, Clijsters said Monday she won't take part in the games because the Belgian Olympic Committee prohibits its athletes from wearing apparel not made by team sponsor Adidas.

Clijsters has a deal with the manufacturer Fila which stipulates she can only play in the company's clothing.

"I want to remain loyal to the people with whom I have closed a contract," said Clijsters, ranked second in the world behind countrywoman Justine Henin-Hardenne. "They were the only ones interested in me two years ago."

Henin-Hardenne is already under contract to Adidas.

Clijsters said she would be play for Belgium in next year's Fed Cup because she wants "to keep Belgium in the World Group."

The Belgian Olympic Committee tried to negotiate with Clijsters, Fila and Adidas. Adidas has sponsored the Belgian team since 1976.

Apparel disputes are not new at the Olympics. On the victory stand at the 1992 Barcelona Games, Michael Jordan, who was under contract to Nike, and other U.S. players draped a U.S. flag over the Reebok logo of their basketball warmup suits.

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