Sydney Sweeney's 'sexualized' sports betting ad slammed by female athletes

U.S. actor Sydney Sweeney is once again facing backlash over an advertisement.

This time, she has enraged female athletes around the world with a nude sports gambling ad — and her response.

The Novig sports prediction ad, posted online Sept. 9 and viewed nearly 39 million times by Monday morning, features Sweeney holding various pieces of sports equipment in front of what looks like her otherwise naked body, as bass music plays in the background.

"Think you know sports? Prove it," says the star of Euphoria and The Housemaid at the beginning of the ad as she holds a football in front of each breast.

In other shots, she perches on a basketball net while spinning a ball with only her hair covering her, holds a football in front of her pelvis, lies nude on a bench with a soccer ball resting on her feet and swings a golf club wearing only white underwear.

It set off a backlash from female athletes and Olympians who say the ad sexualizes women in sport and sets them back. The criticism crosses borders and a range of sports, with many posting "Dear Sydney Sweeney" videos on social media in response.

"Dear Sydney Sweeney, this is women in sports," Canadian sprint canoeist Sophia Jensen posted on TikTok on Sunday, alongside a video where the world champion competes on the water and trains in the gym.

"Hey Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like," Canadian figure skater Madeline Schizas posted on Instagram with a similar video where she competes and trains on and off the ice.

"IDK what Sydney Sweeney was doing, but this is what a woman in sport looks like," posted U.S. gymnast Gracie Kramer over a similar montage.

British sprinter Amy Hunt got a word in during a post-race interview on Sunday, after she finished