A new Sydney Sweeney ad for sports betting site Novig went viral this week, drawing backlash from big-name athletes accusing the actress and company of sexualizing women's sports.
Why Sydney Sweeney's Novig Ad Sparked Backlash
The backlash built fast across social media, as athletes said the Sydney Sweeney ad reduced women to their bodies rather than their achievements.
Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, said she felt "infuriated" watching it. She called the commercial a "kick in the face to every woman who has dedicated her life to perfecting her craft."
British sprinter Amy Hunt fired back shortly after running the 200-meter final in Budapest. "Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like," she said.
Professional surfer Felicity Palmateer subsequently told CNN she felt "absolute utter disbelief."
"We want to be valued for what we can do, not what we look like," Palmateer added.
Women's Sports Athletes Clap Back with Highlight Reels
The Novig ad backlash quickly turned into a movement. Former gymnast Gracie Kramer posted a career highlight reel, writing, "this is what a woman in sport looks like."
Others followed. Olympic water polo player Tilly Kearns, swimmer Lani Pallister, and field hockey goalie Joc Bartram shared training and competition clips. The Australian Institute of Sport joined in with a montage tagged "this is sport."
Sweeney, meanwhile, did not address the criticism directly. Instead, she posted her own Instagram stories featuring athletes from ESPN's former "The Body" issue, ending with a snapshot of her ad.
