Nike got themselves right in the middle of another US vs. Jamaica controversy. Over the years, the emergence of Jamaica as the track and field superpower has ignited an inevitable rivalry with the US. Matchups like Usain Bolt vs. Justin Gatlin, and Sha’Carri Richardson v Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce have kept the audiences captivated and glued to their seats. However, the recent campaign of Nike celebrating their coveted athletes ahead of Paris has reignited the Sha’Carri Richardson vs. Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce rivalry. 

This comes just days before fans found Sha’Carri Richardson donning a green tracksuit and baby pink wig shooting for Whoop, which was similar to a 2023 advertisement done by Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce. Now with Nike involved, the Jamaican fans are fuming, with some even demanding Jamaican athletes to completely boycott Nike. 

Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce disrespected by Nike? 

Nike recently unveiled a set of three statues for public display to welcome their athletes. It included the likes of Kylian Mbappe, LeBron James, and Sha’Carri Richardson. While the sculptures themselves were beautiful, fans could not help but notice a significant miss. While the US track and field star had her sculpture put up, another Nike athlete, Jamaican legend, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, was missing. 

Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce boasts of 3 Olympic gold medals. She also holds the honor of being the solitary female to win the 100m world titles five times. Touted as the flagbearer for women’s track and field, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce has the unique record of breaking the 10.70s barrier for a whopping nine times. She also has an incredible ten golds, five silver, and a bronze competing at the World Athletics Championships. 

Trending

Fresh Controversy Brews After Sha’Carri Richardson and Team USA ‘Outfit’ Fallout As Athlete Robbed of Paris Olympics Dream Over Sponsorship

May 01, 2024 04:27 PM EDT

“He’s Not Stuck in Dubai”: Floyd Mayweather’s $30,000 Act of Kindness Towards Homeless Men in LA Raises Questions About Gervonta Davis’ Bombshell Claim

May 03, 2024 06:58 AM EDT

Racing Community Goes Berserk as Tony Stewart Drops Surprising ‘Fans Double’ Announcement Amidst Indy Return

May 03, 2024 01:47 PM EDT

Dale Earnhardt Jr Drops an Expletive Bomb as He Turns the Tables on Cup Teams Financial Outcry

May 03, 2024 08:19 AM EDT

“Literally Some Random Loser”- Jon Jones Finally Breaks Silence on Latest Controversy, Faced With Serious Allegations

May 02, 2024 07:40 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Olympics stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Thus, the omission of such a legendary figure sparked a heavy backlash. The Jamaican track and field community has also asked all of its athletes to boycott and sever ties with Nike. 

Fans in disbelief as Nike faces heat

The tweet from Rori Dunk became viral instantly, garnering 109 reposts and 1k likes. One of the users was dissatisfied and shared a personal opinion, mentioning how a Jamaican athlete will never be treated with the respect they actually deserve 

“Nike isn’t about facts!”, mentioned another fan. They also mentioned how Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce has been a part of Nike from her early years and will also be retiring soon.

Another enraged user mentioned how they have boycotted Nike as according to them the company has not treated their athletes right.

One X user mentioned that Shelly-Ann Pryce is being treated in the same way Stephen Curry was previously treated. They also referred to the action as a “shameful business”.

Fans were also infuriated as Pryce, who has bagged 8 Olympic medals to date, was not included in the list of athletes whose sculptures were put up. Whereas, world champion Richardson, who has not brought home any Olympic medal as of now, was found on the list.

However, another X post revealed that fans might be too quick to jump to conclusions. It asked people to wait until Nike launched the full campaign.

With controversy running wild, this will now make the Paris Olympic 2024 even more enticing. The rivalry between Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce will now be all the more interesting to witness.

Paris Olympics 2024: Sha’Carri Richardson Joins LeBron James and More for Exclusive Nike Honor