Chris Mosier, the First Transgender Team USA Athlete, Stars in Inspiring Nike Commercial

Nike acknowledges the determination of Chris Mosier, the first transgender Team USA athlete, in their latest "Unlimited Courage" commercial.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Chris Mosier has made history at the 2016 Summer Olympics by becoming the first transgender athlete to represent Team USA. Needless to say, the triathlete accomplished a feat that not only required exceptional skill, but also called for someone with remarkable courage. Nike celebrated Mosier's historic feat by creating a clip called "Unlimited Courage" for him, which features the 35-year-old answering questions about his long journey to the Rio Olympics while training and participating in the triathlon events that he loves. It's the first Nike ad to ever feature a transgender athlete.

Along the way, the cameras catch Mosier changing his shirt while sitting down in the locker room. While this sight might be incredibly common for males in the world of sports, it's something that Mosier only recently felt comfortable doing. "For 29 years of my life, I didn't want to be in pictures because what was reflected back to me was not the way I felt or the way I saw myself. I struggled with that for a really long time—of not even wanting to be in photos at all," he admitted in ESPN The Magazine's 2016 Body Issue. "And so now, to be at a point where I not only want to be in photos but with no clothes in photos is tremendous." 

Without knowing how he would stack up against men during competition—or if he would even be allowed to compete—Mosier could have easily given up on his Olympic dreams. But as he says in "Unlimited Courage," he didn't. Now, he's representing his country, and more importantly, doing it while feeling comfortable in his own skin. Check out the clip above to see the excellent spot Nike put together for Mosier.

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