Canadian high diver.
Case
Sydney Sweeney, an equity holder in sports-prediction platform Novig, starred in a nude ad campaign that female athletes say sexualizes women's sport. Novig's CEO and a Guardian columnist publicly disputed that characterization.
Role at the time: Canadian high diver
Statement summary
Molly Carlson said the Novig ad clashed with her own experience of body image in sport and argued athletes deserve to be celebrated for capability, not appearance.
“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.”
Carlson frames the ad against her own history of body-image struggles in sport and argues athletes should be celebrated for capability rather than appearance, a clear denunciation of the ad’s approach.
Statement dates: September 14, 2026
