Adidas Faces Backlash Over Controversial Swimsuit Ads

Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines criticized Adidas for featuring a biologically male model in an ad for a women's swimsuit as part of the company's pride collection. Gaines called out the brand for deliberately emphasizing the model's male genitalia in the advertisement, saying it sends a message that women don't matter. The campaign has faced fierce backlash online, with lawmakers and other prominent figures weighing in on the issue. The collection was created by South African designer Rich Mnisi to express LGBTQ+ allyship and encourage freedom of expression without bias in all spaces of sport and culture.