2024 Summer Olympics - Day 13 - Source: Getty — Kenny Bednarek of USA in a Nike sponsored kit after coming second in the 200m finals at the Paris Olympics [Image Source: Getty]

Nike, Adidas, Or Puma; Who are most of Team USA's track and field athletes sponsored by?

Modified Sep 10, 2024 05:45 GMT

Team USA is one of the most sought-after teams by sponsors, irrespective of the sport. The famous sports apparel brand Nike is the official sponsor for most of these athletes. However, other brands have also been associated with the country's athletes.

Olympic champion Noah Lyles has signed a contract with Adidas until 2028, during which the company will sponsor his apparel and footwear for the upcoming track and field events. Middle-distance runner Eric Holt has been sponsored by rival competitor Puma.

When it comes to sponsoring Team USA overall in track and field, Nike has the edge over Adidas and Puma. Interestingly, Nike has also financed the US Athletics Track and Field's budget for many years, which is why it has been preferred over other sponsors for decades, be it the World Championships or the Olympics.

Since 1991, Nike has been sponsoring the US track and field team in various competitions, including the Summer Olympics, from the Barcelona edition in 1992 to Paris in 2024. In 2014, the multi-million sponsorship deal was extended till 2040.

Team USA's Nike Olympic kit controversy

In April 2024, Nike launched the official kit for Team USA bound for the Paris Olympics. Popular sports magazine Citius Mag published the first looks of men's and women's track and field kit on their social media accounts.

However, the kit was subject to immense criticism on social media. Many users believed that the outfit was far from impressive, while others labeled the women's kits as derogatory and skimpy.

Even athletes like Katie Moon and Tara Davis-Woodhall couldn't help but feel awkward with the kits offered by Nike for the track and field events. While Katie Moon, who won the Olympic silver medal in the pole vault at the Paris Olympics, felt that it was the mannequin that caused the trouble, Davis-Woodhall felt that the kit was far too revealing. The Olympic champion in women's long jump commented on the Instagram post,

"Wait my hoo haa is gonna be out."

When asked about the problem, Nike assured that there was no need to be worried. In their statement to ABC News, Nike maintained the kits shown were one of the multiple options available for athletes representing Team USA at the Olympics and the Paralympics.

The brand said that it will also have 'tailoring options available for Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the games'. Even USATF [USA Track and Field] backed Nike's claims, issuing their statement to ABC News, where they proclaimed that the kits revealed were only two of the many options available.