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

After Nike revealed their kits for the Paris Olympics, both Team US and Kenya were unhappy with the uniforms. Amid the plethora of criticisms directed at Nike, concerns about the impracticality of the high-cut leotard design received the most ire. Interestingly, 100m world champion Sha’Carri Richardson has been at the forefront on behalf of all athletes in the Nike project but the kits still didn’t bode all that well. It wasn’t long after this the apparel brand found itself embroiled in yet another controversy. This time, it was shortly after Kenya announced its team for the Paris Olympics!

Athletics Kenya has selected six women and five men for the Paris Olympics. Some critics argue that the athletes’ sponsorship with Nike has skewed the selection process, potentially overshadowing other deserving athletes. Recently, Chris Chavez, founder of Citius Mag and a writer for Sports Illustrated, responded to an X post by user Aliphine Tuliamuk concerning the selection process of the Kenyan team.

Tuliamuk expressed her opinion that Sharon Lokedi should have been on Kenya’s final marathon team instead of being on the reserves. Chavez echoed her sentiment, and wrote, “I agree with you, Aliphine. Sharon Lokedi would’ve been a much better choice over Brigid Kosgei, in my opinion.”

Interesting fact: Lokedi—a 10-time All-American and 12-time Big 12 champion, New York City Marathon champion as a debutant in 2022—was not selected. Instead, Brigid Kosgei—a two-time London (2019, 2020) and Chicago Marathon (2018,2019) champion— who last registered a win in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics was chosen in her place.

Renowned African sports journalist Mich Katami shared the same opinion on the preference given to Nike-affiliated athletes in the Paris Olympics selection process. Chris quoted Mich, ” I saw @MichKatami note that the team had to include a Nike athlete because they’re Team Kenya’s sponsor. Wish those sponsorship politics didn’t come into play because Lokedi proved herself a formidable competitor in championship style races + hilly courses with her performances in Boston and New York.”

He even compared her performance in the recent London race by noting, “Kosgei was 5th in London in 2:19:02 – the third Kenyan woman on the day. She was beaten by nearly three minutes by Peres Jepchirchir and Joyciline Jepkosgei (who wasn’t on the shortlist).”

The roster for the Kenyan team at the Paris Olympics now includes the following athletes:

Women:

Men:

Earlier, Chavez had predicted the Kenyan Olympic team. He hit the bull’s eye with the men’s side, but on the women’s side, Brigid Kosgei’s selection over Sharon Lokedi came as a surprise.

This fresh controversy is one more addition to Nike’s portfolio, which started with the launch of the uniforms for the US track and field athletes. Keeping the outfit controversy aside, the two teams are all set for a face-off at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Clash of the Olympic teams: Team USA vs Kenya

The 2024 US Olympics Marathon Trials witnessed some of the best athletes perform even better. Fiona O’Keeffe and Conner Mantz have made their way to the Olympic team. In an electrifying debut, O’Keeffe seized victory in the women’s marathon, rewriting US Trials history with an astonishing time of 2:22:10. Her commanding lead over second-place Emily Sission, who holds the American record, underscored her dominance. 

She trailed with a still impressive 2:22:42. Dakotah Lindwurm completed the podium with a remarkable 2:25:31 finish, visibly stunned by her performance. For the Olympics however, the absence of Sharon Lokedi on the list of competitors for Kenya might prove to be a relief for Team USA. Winning her marathon debut last year in 2:23:23 on one of the hottest days in race history, Lokedi was a highly anticipated name.

Peres Jepchirchir, the reigning Olympic champion, and 2024 London Marathon winner, broke the women’s only marathon world record with 2:16:16 on 21st April. Sounding confident with the win, she added, “I now know I have a great chance to defend my title in Paris.” 2024 Boston Marathon winner Hellen Obiri (PB: 2:14:58) and Brigid Kosgei (PB: 2:14:04) are also on the Kenyan Olympic team.