INDIANAPOLIS – Abercrombie & Fitch's (search) latest T-shirt is getting poor marks from USA Gymnastics.
USA Gymnastics (search) president Bob Colarossi is asking the clothing retailer to stop selling a T-shirt that has the slogan "L is for Loser" next to a picture of a gymnast on the still rings. The sport's governing body also asked members to boycott the store until the T-shirt is pulled.
"No individual, regardless of race, gender, age, intelligence or athletic ability, can or should be deemed a loser," Colarossi wrote in a letter to Michael Jeffries, chief executive officer of Abercrombie & Fitch.
"Athletics as a whole, and gymnastics in particular, provides a great foundation in physical fitness and offers skills for a lifetime," Colarossi wrote. "... USA Gymnastics feels that A&F has promoted this latest product in hopes of generating public outcry, attention, and media exposure for their brand."
Abercrombie & Fitch did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment from The Associated Press on Thursday.
This isn't the first time Abercrombie & Fitch's T-shirts have caused a stir. West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise sent two letters to Jeffries earlier this year to protest T-shirts making fun of his state.
In 2002, the company removed T-shirts from stores after Asian-Americans complained about depictions of two slant-eyed men in conical hats and the slogan "Wong Brothers Laundry Service — Two Wongs Can Make it White."
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