Skye Nicolson distinguishes "looking sexy" from "using sex to sell sport"
Professional boxer; world champion
“There’s a big difference between looking ‘sexy’ because you do sport compared to use sex to sell ‘sport’. There is nothing wrong with looking good and doing sport and there’s nothing wrong with embracing your femininity while also being a badass athlete.”
Open source (opens in a new tab)Sydney Sweeney under fire for ‘sexualising women’s sport’ in sports prediction ad
Source and context
Reporting
Sydney Sweeney under fire for ‘sexualising women’s sport’ in sports prediction ad (opens in a new tab)
About this source
The Guardian’s report on the athlete-led backlash, directly quoting Ariarne Titmus’s Instagram Story and Skye Nicolson’s Instagram post.
Before the quotation
Posted to an Instagram story on or around September 14, 2026.
After the quotation
Quoted directly by The Guardian.
How this statement is classified
Challenged the characterization
Case context: Sydney Sweeney’s Novig "Just Sports" ad draws backlash over sexualizing women’s sport
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
Nicolson distinguishes "looking sexy because you do sport" from "using sex to sell sport," disputing how the ad’s critics and defenders alike are framing the issue rather than issuing a blanket condemnation or defense.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Novig, Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney’s Novig "Just Sports" ad draws backlash over sexualizing women’s sport
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
More from this case
Read the full case“Come on. With respect, I just don’t think it’s a kick in the face for any of those things... I can’t help feeling it would have been cooler for women’s sport to simply not even mention the naked gambling ad at all.”Read statement
“We never intended to portray female sports. Sydney’s an actress, the biggest movie star in the world. We’re a prediction market that is focused on sports, and that is the story that she was communicating... It really was Sydney who was driving the visuals and the messaging.”Read statement
“This one hits close to home... because I didn’t think I looked like the athlete I was ‘supposed’ to be. Young girls deserve to grow up seeing female athletes celebrated for their strength, courage, talent and what their bodies are capable of.”Read statement