Phil Knight tries to rally Nike Family ahead of Summer Olympics [Video]

With a week to go before the start of the Summer Olympics, and as Nike works to jump-start sales, Nike cofounder Phil Knight on Friday wrote a letter to the “Nike Family” and said it needed to “reignite the passion, desire, and the want to win.”

The letter coincides with the sportswear company’s new Olympic advertising campaign, which is about the unrelenting pursuit of victory — a message that carries double meaning given Nike’s recent struggles.

The Oregonian/OregonLive viewed a copy of Knight’s letter, which was sent to Nike athletes and coaches preparing to head to the Games.

“As one athlete talking to another, I’m going to be honest,” wrote Knight, who serves as chairman emeritus of the company. “We need you. The world needs you. Now more than ever. It feels like winning is getting a losing reputation these days. It’s time to change that.”

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