An Egyptian athlete has claimed she had to buy her own Olympic kit after her national Olympic committee handed out fake Nike gear to participants.
It is understood the Egyptian Olympic Committee chose a vendor for its athletes’ training and village wear who supplied counterfeit clothing bearing the Nike brand.
Yomna Khallaf, 20, a member of Egypt’s synchronised swimming team, confirmed on Twitter that the athletes were given fake Nike wear.
Egypt’s Olympic chairman Mahmoud Ali admits Egyptian athletes received counterfeit clothing but denies the committee knew; calls on Nike to investigate the country’s vendor.
“We bought the clothing from a Nike agent. You can never tell the difference between the original and the fake ones,” EOC Chairman General Mahmoud Ahmed Ali told Ahram newspaper. “All Nike products in the Egyptian Market are made in China. They all have the same logo. How can you know?”
A spokesman from Nike said: “Nike was recently made aware that the Egyptian Olympic Committee (EOC) chose a vendor for its athletes’ training and village wear who is alleged to have supplied counterfeit footwear and apparel bearing the Nike trademarks.
“Nike is highly concerned that if these allegations are true, the athletes will have received products that do not meet Nike’s quality standards.
“We believe this issue with the EOC is an isolated incident. Nike consistently acts to protect its brand and actively engages with law enforcement agencies and Customs authorities to stop counterfeit product reaching consumers and athletes.”
Egyptian Media
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca72zckMdWw[/youtube]
Ahmed Shobier comments on the issue on Noogoum FM (Egyptian Sports Radio)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gErbmdfRhW0[/youtube]
