In this AIDS awareness commercial by NIKE, while athletes take part in sport they are knocked down by an invisible force. The advert features Butch James (rugby player), Fabian McCarthy (footballer), Charne Rademeyer (runner), Lehlohonolo Ledwaba (boxer), etc.

Instead of following the characteristic “Just Do It!” theme, this Nike ad had fit young athletes dropping dead to terrible thudding sound effects, while running down stairs, jumping for rebounds on the basketball court, etc, as the song “Bang Bang” played. The whole point was to NOT “Just Do It!” because AIDS would get you if you did.

Directed by Keith Rose, the background song “Bang Bang” is by Nancy Sinatra.

It says:

Now he’s gone, I don’t know why
And till this day, sometimes I cry
He didn’t even say goodbye
He didn’t take the time to lie.

Bang bang, he shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me down…

This ad was created for Nike South Africa to help with the fight against AIDS.

Our greatest opponent is one we cannot see… Wear a Condom

Video Tags: Nike 2005 commercial, Nike AIDS awareness campaign, Nike South Africa, Bang bang, condom, atheletes, sportspersons