Everything You Need Is Already Inside

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The color gold is used repetitively throughout this commercial. While gold is usually associated with an Olympic gold metal, in this commercial it appears on track spikes, a statue, and a human eye. Gold symbolizes victory and success. However in this commercial, Olympic athletes that have won gold have struggled to achieve it. Lance Armstrong undergoes therapy for his cancer before regaining the strength to return to biking and win the Tour de France (Armstrong). Derek Redmond’s father helps carry him to the finish line after injuring himself during his Olympic race (Weinberg). Kerri Strug wins gold after injuring her ankle during her gymnastic routine in the Olympics (Weinberg). Associating these athletes with gold shows that even great athletes go through hardships. Just as they could overcome, everyday people can overcome too because we are all just humans. What it takes to overcome is already in you.

Nike shows that professional athletes and Olympic gold medalists are not larger than life through means of images and music. Nike has diminished the amplitude of greatness of Olympic medalists by bringing them down to a human level. This commercial uses great pathos to show that the courage needed to overcome obstacles is already inside of you as a human. The technique of using images and music gives a great convincing message to viewers of all kinds. This Nike “Courage” commercial leaves viewers feeling very emotional. The emotion felt by the viewer may vary, but what is certain is that viewers will understand that they have the potential to be as courageous and successful as some of the greatest athletes of all time.

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONuQ_CeY2mU

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Works Cited

Armstrong, Lance. "Cancer Wouldn't Stop Him." Guideposts. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.

Nike. “Nike Courage.” YouTube. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.

Nike Inc, . N.p.. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.

Weinberg, Rick. "Derek and Dad Finish Olympic 400 Together." ESPN.com. ESPN, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.

Weinberg, Rick. "Kerri Strug Fights off Pain, Helps U.S. Win Gold." ESPN.com. ESPN, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.