Nike releases athletic hijabs for Spring 2018

After the release of the Middle Eastern advertisement in February, two days before International Women’s Day, Nike released its athletic hijabs.

“The fact that major companies like Nike are jumping on board and creating an avenue for these women is just..kudos to them,” said P.E. teacher and competitor in the 1996 Olympic Games for the USA Field Hockey team.

In order to not come untucked from clothing, the hijabs are created with synthetic, breathable fabric that allows Muslim women to be athletes, comfortably.

“They’re making it that it is comfortable, and not cumbersome,” said Boothe.

Although much of the advertisements focus on the technical aspect of the hijabs, inevitably political stances come up.

The release of a commercial that displayed Muslim women participating in sports sparked controversy in Middle Eastern countries.

“Nobody should ever be prohibited from playing sports based on their religious beliefs,” said Boothe.
Although Nike Middle East produced the video, the impact was felt by athletes across the United States.

The video, “What Will They Say About You?” embodied Nike’s mission statement, “to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.”

“I think it’s great that they’re branching out and supporting all athletes,” said junior cross country and track runner, Laura Grabarczyk.

Legendary University of Oregon track coach and Nike founder Bill Bowerman is credited of saying, “”If you have a body, you are an athlete.”

“They [the hijabs] bring the sporting world together,” said junior and varsity soccer player Joseph Bright.

Even with other companies like Capsters and Resporton Hijab creating hijabs before Nike, uproar from the Nike commercial was one not to be forgotten.

“I hope to see more companies starting to compete with each other,” said Boothe. “I want to see that competitiveness the way companies compete to make the best shoes [with hijabs]. I’d love to see it.”