Just Boo It: Nike Ad Infuriates Medalist -- Silver Winner `Insulted' By Slogan

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Olympic swimmer Amy White has a suggestion for other silver medalists put off by a Nike commercial that says: "You don't win silver, you lose gold."

Just boo it.

"I am insulted every time I see it," White said. "They are slapping every athlete and every country that doesn't win gold in the face. That's not the spirit of the Olympics."

White said her 1984 silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke was the accomplishment of her life. She finished less than a second behind Yolanda de Rover of the Netherlands.

Nike was trying to convey a sentiment shared by many athletes, that second best isn't winning, Nike spokesman Keith Peters said.

"The women's Dream Team came up with the slogan because the players felt like if they didn't win gold, then they didn't win," he said.

Lawyers at the Newport Beach office where White works as a paralegal joined her in writing Nike to protest.

"We are talking about being second best in the world," said attorney Jim Ballidis. "How can you say they didn't win silver?"