Critics of the ad, created by TBWA\London, say that it is in poor taste in the wake of the "shoebomber" -- British terrorist Richard Reid, who attempted to blow up an American Airlines plane with a home-made explosive concealed in the heel of his shoe. Fortunately, he was stopped by other passengers before he could detonate the bomb.
The Advertising Standards Authority has received six complaints about the poster already. Most of the complaints say that it is distasteful and offensive. Donna Mitchell, press spokeswoman with the ASA, said: "The complaints say that the poster is distasteful, offensive and irresponsible in the current political climate, and it could encourage other people to copy the shoebomber."
A further complainant argued that the ad was unsuitable to be seen by children because Chambers appears naked in the ad.
An Adidas spokesperson said: "Our poster campaign for the a3 trainer is intended to demonstrate the power delivered to runners by the shoe's new, advanced three-stage technology. That's why it features Dwain Chambers -- one of the most powerful runners in the world.
"We think that most people will understand what the poster is saying, but we are sorry if it has been misinterpreted in any way. The campaign has now come to an end."
Nazar Hussain, one of the residents of the Small Heath area where the poster is displayed, told the Birmingham Evening Mail: "Many of the local Muslim community are very offended by this poster, not only because the man is naked, but because the explosives in his shoes make light of the case of the shoebomber.
"Not only are people offended, but others have actually had jokes and jibes targeted at them by others because the poster in Green Lane is right outside a mosque."
Mitchell said that the watchdog is currently looking into the ad.
Reid was jailed for life in January for his attempt to blow up a jet carrying 197 passengers from Paris to Miami in 2001 only weeks after Islamic extremists launched airliner terrorist attacks, which destroyed the World Trade Center in New York and attacked the Pentagon.
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