Chapter 1
Breaking the mold with pioneering statements of rebellion
Chapter 2
Cultural pride on the global stage
Chapter 3
The sneaker as a canvas of personal storytelling
Chapter 4
Technological armor and futuristic design
Ch 4 · Technological armor and futuristic design
adidas Custom Paralympic Running Blades
Wrap those blades in neon art! (Yeah, watch us fly!)
adidas Athletes wearing the polyurethane suit won 98% of Beijing Olympic medals, leading FINA to ban it as technological doping.
Quiz
In what year did the swimming governing body FINA officially ban full-body polyurethane suits?
Quiz
Which aerospace agency helped Speedo test the materials for the high-tech LZR Racer swimsuit?
adidas Nike's springy carbon-fiber footwear boosted running efficiency by four percent, sparking global debates
Quiz
What key mechanical component inside Kipchoge's prototype shoes helped maximize energy return?
Fun Fact
Olympic swimsuit speed: During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, swimmers wearing the Speedo LZR Racer broke twenty-three out of twenty-five world records.
Quiz
In which grueling multi-sport event did Ashton Eaton compete when he used his high-tech cooling hood?
Glossary
bodysuit (noun)
A close-fitting, one-piece garment that covers the torso and sometimes the limbs. In 2000, Cathy Freeman won Olympic gold wearing Nike’s futuristic Swift Suit, which featured an aerodynamic hood.
A close-fitting, one-piece garment that covers the torso and sometimes the limbs. In 2000, Cathy Freeman won Olympic gold wearing Nike’s futuristic Swift Suit, which featured an aerodynamic hood.
Quiz
What lightweight, ultra-strong material is used to construct modern Paralympic running blades?
Quiz
Which Icelandic company pioneered the iconic J-shaped 'Flex-Foot' running blade in the late 20th century?