The third chapter in Nike‘s “You Can’t Stop Us” campaign, a short film of the same name debuted on July 31, 2020 to coincide with the return of the National Basketball Association to hardwood action. The 2019-2020 NBA season resumed on July 30, 2020 after going on hiatus due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Featuring 24 sports and 53 athletes, the spot celebrates sport as a source of inspiration. It was narrated by footballer Megan Rapinoe, 35, who plays as a winger and captains OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League and the United States national team.
Developed through research of more than 4,000 pieces of footage, the resulting montage of the Nike’s “You Can’t Stop Us” short film underscores commonalities shared by athletes around the world. Its action shares a dynamic split screen series detailing 36 pairings of athletes and relating the kinetic movement of one sport to another.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, closed gyms and empty stadiums have not stopped athletes from pushing forward and using their platforms to help create change. Through those actions, sport shows what an equal playing field looks like, a reminder that a better future is possible.
The film celebrates the common ground that sport uniquely creates, highlighting connections and unity people may not always see. It shows how, in the face of unprecedented challenges, sport will always have the power to inspire and that the world has never stopped needing sport simply because it continues to be a true source of inspiration, showing everyone the world over what is possible whenever people come together.
