Nike Inc. confirmed that it had no plans to use Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, the South African sports star was charged with murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend, in future campaigns. Oakley also suspended its contract with Pistorius.
Pistorius was the first amputee athlete to run at the world
championships in 2011, and he made history competing in the London
Olympics last year.
Nike spokesman KeJuan Wilkins, speaking to the Associated Press, declined to say whether the brand had
previously had any plans for Pistorius, or whether it will remove
current advertising that includes him. Pistorius received a prominent part of Nike’s ads around the Olympics.
Oakley, in an emailed statement, said that “in light of the recent
allegations, Oakley is suspending its contract with Oscar Pistorius,
effective immediately.”
