As the excitement builds for the Paris Olympics 2024, the sports world eagerly awaits the thrilling blend of drama, contention, and sportsmanship that comes with such a pinnacle event. However, amidst this excitement, Team USA’s official apparel partner, Nike, finds itself embroiled in controversy over its latest track and field uniforms for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

This recent backlash against Nike is not unfamiliar territory for the world of track and field. As we delve into the current uproar, it’s impossible to ignore a heartbreaking moment from the past, where the mistreatment of track and field star Allyson Felix during her pregnancy by the brand came to light.

How Olympic star Allyson Felix called out Nike in 2019

In an open letter published via The New York Times on May 22, 2019, Allyson Felix, the 11x Olympic medalist, bravely shared her experience of feeling disrespected by Nike. When she became pregnant, she was negotiating a new contract with Nike; her sponsor. Recognizing the importance of ensuring support during and after childbirth, she sought assurances from Nike that she wouldn’t face pay cuts or loss of support if she couldn’t perform at her best. However, despite her stature as one of Nike’s top athletes, the company offered her a 70% pay cut in the new contract and refused to explicitly support the maternity protections she requested.

This refusal left her questioning, “If I, one of Nike’s most widely marketed athletes, couldn’t secure these protections, who could?” Allyson’s experience was not unique; other female athletes, including her teammates Alysia Montaño and Kara Goucher, had also spoken out about similar challenges while pregnant and sponsored by Nike at the time. Frustrated by the lack of support, Allyson made the decision to leave Nike and instead signed with Athleta in 2019, and in 2021 she launched her own brand of women’s running shoes called Saysh. As we reflect on her heartbreaking experience, let us see how the brand is facing criticism from the USA ahead of the Paris Olympics.

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USA’s anger towards the brand in 2024

The unveiling of Nike’s track and field uniforms for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics has sparked a tidal wave of criticism and discontent among athletes and fans alike. Nike’s use of advanced technologies like body scanning and motion capture aimed to create uniforms perfectly tailored to athletes’ bodies, with specialized kits for those who reach event finals. However, despite the innovation, glaring issues emerged. One major issue raised was the design of the women’s one-piece suit, which featured a high-cut leg design that many athletes and fans found impractical and potentially revealing during competition.

Moreover, fans noted a lack of originality in the uniform design. There were even comparisons to past uniforms from Great Britain and uniforms from the yesteryear Olympic Games, leading to some outright labeling of the designs as “ugliest.” As we reflect on the brand facing controversy once more, what are your thoughts on the designs and Allyson Felix’s experience? Feel free to share your insights below.