Dezeen Magazine

Nike unveils shoes for a 100-metre sprinter at the Rio 2016 Olympics

Rio 2016: sports brand Nike has revealed the running shoe that Jamaican athlete Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will wear while competing at this summer's Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The Nike Zoom Superfly Elite shoe was developed specifically for Fraser-Pryce, who won gold medals in the 100 metres track event at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Nike Zoom Superfly Elite sprinting shoe
The Nike Zoom Superfly Elite shoe was developed for Jamaican athlete Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

It features a tightly woven upper and a base plate influenced by the geometric structures of ocean organisms. Both of these are lightweight and stiff.

Nike worked with the athlete to analyse her sprint and create the optimum plate stiffness for the shoe, with the goal of shaving one tenth of a second off her personal best time.

Nike Zoom Superfly Elite sprinting shoe
Its base plate was influenced by the geometric structures of ocean organisms

"Fraser-Pryce knows she's unbeatable through 70 metres," said Nike. "But between that point in the race and 80 metres is when she's got to battle to maintain her lead."

Digital design and rapid-prototyping technology allowed the team to create multiple iterations of the shoe for Fraser-Pryce to test on the track.

Nike Zoom Superfly Elite shoe sole
Digital design and rapid-prototyping technology allowed the team to create multiple iterations of the shoe

Fixed spikes were chosen instead on screw-ins, allowing the foot to be as close to the track as possible and increasing traction.

"Add all the advances together and Fraser-Pryce is moving quicker, for longer, and getting incrementally closer to her next personal best," said Nike.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Fraser-Pryce tested the variations in track simulations to achieve optimum fit

The shoe comes in Nike's latest colour combination, selected to reference Brazil's tropical wildlife.

The mix of bright pink and the brand's signature volt green will be applied across its athletics footwear range this summer.

Nike Zoom Superfly Elite shoe prototypes
Nike developed a range of prototypes during the design process

Nike has developed its latest apparel from the designs worn by runners in London four years ago. These included the Nike Zoom Superfly R4 sprinting shoe, which was based on suspension bridges, and the Nike Zoom Victory Elite worn by 1,500-metre runners.

Nike Zoom Superfly Elite shoe prototype
The design allows the foot to be as close to the track as possible, increasing traction

Martin Lotti, the brand's global creative director for the London 2012 Olympics, explained some of the key innovations in a series of movies made by Dezeen.

Rio 2016 takes place from 5 to 21 August, where athletes from Team GB will wear kits designed by Stella McCartney for Adidas.