Mary Cain: Former track prodigy sues Nike and her ex-coach Alberto Salazar for $20 million
Beginning in 2012, Cain participated in this system at Nike headquarters, which was designed to enhance the fortunes of American distance runners in worldwide competitions.
She was 16 years outdated on the time she informally joined the workforce. The subsequent yr, she accepted an endorsement contract with Nike as an expert runner for the Nike Oregon Mission.
The lawsuit claims that, as head coach, Salazar “acted with information that extreme emotional misery was sure or considerably sure to consequence from his conduct.”
Specifically, the criticism states, “Salazar advised her that she was too fats and that her breasts and backside had been too large.”
Cain’s attorneys additionally allege that “Salazar and different Nike workers usually made sexist and objectifying feedback about feminine athletes, specializing in their look and weight, whereas they didn’t make related feedback to or concerning male athletes.”
Cain says within the lawsuit that she was placed on a weight loss program that left her so hungry, she secretly stole meals from her teammates which she ate within the rest room.
The criticism says Salazar publicly berated her about her weight even after she received the three,000 meters junior world championship in 2014, a primary for an American girl, in line with the swimsuit.
The lawsuit additionally says Salazar was conscious that Cain was creating an consuming dysfunction and had intentionally reduce herself, however he allegedly did nothing and ridiculed Cain for having panic assaults.
The New York Instances additionally reported that it had acquired an e mail from Salazar denying lots of Cain’s claims and saying “he had supported her well being and welfare.”
In a press release to CNN on Wednesday, Nike responded, “We do not touch upon ongoing litigation. Nike is dedicated to positively affecting the way forward for sport for ladies and women and we’re doing extra on this area than ever earlier than.”
Messages despatched to Salazar requesting remark weren’t returned to CNN on Wednesday.
Salazar, who was born in Cuba, loved a distinguished athletics profession, successful the New York marathon for 3 consecutive years between 1980-82. In 1982 he was second on the world cross nation championships.
He additionally as soon as held American monitor data within the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.