• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 22, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Buy tickets now!

‘A Swoosh Affair’: Nike Accused of Undue Influence on Picking Olympics’ Toughest Marathon Team

  • Nike-sponsored Athletics Kenya picked a Nike athlete over arguably more qualified competitors with other sponsors.
  • It isn’t the first time a Kenyan team has controversially picked a Nike marathoner for its third spot.
Kevin R. Wexler-The Record

The Kenyan Olympic marathon team is maybe the hardest to crack in sports, with dozens of the world’s best long-distance runners clawing for only three spots every four years. And every four years, it seems, there’s a furor about Nike jamming an unqualified athlete onto the team. 

Nike sponsors Athletics Kenya, the nation’s track and field federation responsible for selecting the team. Nike also sponsors Brigid Kosgei, a runner who has struggled as of late but beat out seemingly more qualified non-Nike athletes for the third spot on the team. Kosgei is the only woman sponsored by Nike out of the three who made the cut. Adidas sponsors Peres Jepchirchir, the reigning Olympic and London Marathon champion, and On sponsors Hellen Obiri, who won her last three marathons: two in Boston and one in New York.

Two prominent Kenyan journalists have called out the company accusing it of meddling. Michelle Katami called out the coincidence on social media, while Mutwiri Mutuota called it a “swoosh affair.”

Kosgei held the women’s world record from 2019 to ’23 and won silver at the last Olympics, but she has struggled in recent races. In the past two years, she won one marathon, didn’t reach the podium in two, stopped during the first mile in another, and withdrew from one before the race started. In one of those races, she was beaten by Sharon Lokedi, an Under Armour athlete who most recently placed second in Boston and third in New York, both behind Obiri, but was named an alternate for the Olympics. Rosemary Wanjiru was also the top Kenyan in all of her past four races, reaching the podium in three of them. She is sponsored by Adidas.

It isn’t the first time a Kenyan runner with a swoosh on their shoes has won a spot on the team over other arguably more qualified athletes. Nike athletes were selected over competitors with other sponsors for the men’s team in 2012 and both teams in ’16, including one male runner, Wesley Korir, who hadn’t reached the podium at a marathon in four years.

Nike and Athletics Kenya did not immediately respond to requests by Front Office Sports for comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Private Equity Enters College Sports—Without the Equity

As college football starts, lending agreements have become PE’s best way in.

SEC Adopts 9-Game Conference Schedule As CFP Changes Loom

The conference matches schedule formats used by the Big Ten and Big 12.
Mo Vaughn

How Michael Bloomberg Jump-Started Mo Vaughn’s Business Career

The Red Sox legend had a sprawling housing empire before starting a podcast.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

MLB Confident New Rights Will Exceed $550M ESPN Deal

MLB would redistribute rights forfeited by ESPN back in February.

Featured Today

Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) returns a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at MetLife Stadium.
August 18, 2025

‘Fauxbacks’ Throw Back to a Retro Uniform That Never Existed

Many throwback jerseys are brand-new designs or “Franken-Unis.”
August 17, 2025

‘Labubu Gang’: The Creepy-Cute Dolls Sweeping Pro Sports

The creepy-cute doll is the hottest collectible—and fashion statement.
Middle Tennessee wide receiver Cam'ron Lacy (86) catches a pass and carries the ball during the season final home football game against New Mexico State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
August 15, 2025

How Middle Tennessee State Added $668,000 to Its NIL Budget

The Blue Raiders are creating a new blueprint for cutting costs.
Samuel Basallo

Orioles Give Catcher Record Extension Amid Adley Rutschman’s Stunning Fall

Samuel Basallo’s reported $67M deal would be a record for pre-arbitration catchers.
August 20, 2025

Tony Hawk Finds His Enduring Fame ‘Baffling’

The skateboarder said it’s “still kind of a shock” to be recognized.
Aug 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates in the second half as LA Sparks guard Rae Burrell (12) watches at Crypto.com Arena.
August 21, 2025

Paige Bueckers Wowing Crowds, Selling Jerseys Despite Wings Losses

Bueckers is second in youth jersey sales.
Sponsored

Building A Pro League From Scratch

Front Office Sports and Gainbridge® spotlight what it takes to build a professional women’s soccer league.
August 20, 2025

Struggling Kyle Tucker Benched Shortly After $600M Contract Buzz

The Cubs take action with their star outfielder ahead of his free agency.
August 20, 2025

Sophie Cunningham Receives 3rd WNBA Fine for Criticizing Refs

This is Cunningham’s third fine in about a month.
Daniel Jones
August 20, 2025

Vikings Set to Benefit from Colts Making Daniel Jones Starter

Jones never played a snap for Minnesota.
Aug 17, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) and Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) work for the ball in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena.
August 19, 2025

Sophie Cunningham’s Torn MCL Yet Another Fever Setback

The Fever guard is out for the remainder of the season.