The AP looks at how Nike's dominance in track and field "draws scrutiny over influence, gender equity." Nike’s "command of this sport has been tested over the past few years." Gender equity battles "have led to the defection of several high-profile women runners, including nine-time Olympic medal winner Allyson Felix, while Nike’s "role in developing new boundary-pushing technology for long-distance running shoes has garnered its share of sideways glances. Still, "virtually every major executive and organization in the sport" -- among them, USA Track and Field -- "either has, or once had, some strong connection to Nike." But USATF CEO Max Siegel "does not adhere to the idea that USATF is beholden to its top sponsor."
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