Nike's Paris Olympics commercial criticized for 'insulting China'

Short scene in 90-second ad shows Asian table tennis player licking her paddle

Screenshots of Nike's video ad for the Paris Olympics, which at one point shows an Asian table tennis player licking the edge of her paddle. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

CISSY ZHOU, Nikkei staff writer

July 24, 2024 18:30 JST

HONG KONG -- Nike has landed in hot water with some Chinese social media users over a video advertisement ahead of the Paris Olympics.

The ad, titled "Winning isn't for everyone" and uploaded on the U.S. sportswear maker's Weibo site, includes a short scene in which an Asian table tennis player of undefined nationality licks the edge of her paddle.