SportPlaza Mercator by VenhoevenCS
This leisure centre in Amsterdam by Dutch architects VenhoevenCS was designed as a fortress covered in plants (+ slideshow). More about SportPlaza Mercator by VenhoevenCS
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Nike Free Trainer 5.0 by Nike
The criss-crossing bands of these running shoes by Nike are inspired by a Chinese finger trap. More about Nike Free Trainer 5.0 by Nike
Elevated Sports Court by Guzmán de Yarza Blache
Students arriving at and departing from this school in Zaragoza, Spain, often obstructed sports games in the playground, so architect Guzmán de Yarza Blache decided to lift one of the sports courts up out of the way (+ movie). More about Elevated Sports Court by Guzmán de Yarza Blache
Nike Vapor Laser Talon 3D printed football boot studs
Sports brand Nike has unveiled the first boots for American football players with 3D-printed studs (+ slideshow). More about Nike Vapor Laser Talon 3D printed football boot studs
Vertikale Kletterhalle Brixen by Stadtlabor and Wolfgang Meraner
The rippled aluminium cladding of this climbing centre in northern Italy is dotted with tiny perforations that allow the walls to become see-through after dark (+ slideshow). More about Vertikale Kletterhalle Brixen by Stadtlabor and Wolfgang Meraner
Olympic Ice Rink of Liège by L'Escaut
Shimmering aluminium skin and a gaping mouth give this ice rink in Belgium by architects L'Escaut the look of a whale (+ slideshow). More about Olympic Ice Rink of Liège by L'Escaut
Gym Hall Nieuw Welgelegen by NL Architects
This gymnasium in Utrecht by Dutch studio NL Architects has no windows but features walls that swell outwards to let light in from above (+ slideshow). More about Gym Hall Nieuw Welgelegen by NL Architects
Skidome Denmark by CEBRA
Danish architecture studio CEBRA has revealed a proposal for a snowflake-shaped ski dome that would be the biggest in the world, with three kilometres of slopes arching over a river in the Danish city of Randers. More about Skidome Denmark by CEBRA
Tyršův Stadion by QARTA Architektura
To create a full-length running track inside this refurbished gym in the Czech Republic, Prague studio QARTA Architektura added a translucent extension that projects out on stilts (+ slideshow). More about Tyršův Stadion by QARTA Architektura
N10 Sports Facility by Comoco Architects
Portuguese studio Comoco Architects has converted a warehouse in Coimbra once used for storing industrial materials into an indoor football ground (+ slideshow). More about N10 Sports Facility by Comoco Architects
Fala Park by PL.architekci
Stray balls aren't a problem on the rooftop tennis court of this sports centre in western Poland by PL.architekci, thanks to the cage that covers the building (+ slideshow). More about Fala Park by PL.architekci
Paralympic design: Flex-Foot Cheetah blades
To conclude our series on designs at the London 2012 Paralympics we're focussing on the most talked-about equipment used at the games - carbon-fibre prosthetic blades inspired by the hind legs of a cheetah. More about Paralympic design: Flex-Foot Cheetah blades
Paralympic design: discus throwing frame
Discus-thrower Derek Derenalagi competes using a custom frame that's specially designed to meet strict rules for Paralympic athletics, which state that any equipment can be used so long as he can get set up and ready to compete within 60 seconds. More about Paralympic design: discus throwing frame
Two-handled tennis racket spotted at the U.S. Open
Dezeen News: mixed doubles tennis player Brian Battistone turned heads at the U.S. Open this week with a two-handled tennis racket his playing partner has dubbed "the alien". More about Two-handled tennis racket spotted at the U.S. Open
Paralympic design: 3D-printed seats for wheelchair basketball
The first tailor-made 3D printed seats for wheelchair basketball are being used by competitors at the London 2012 Paralympics. More about Paralympic design: 3D-printed seats for wheelchair basketball
Paralympic design: competitive handcycles
Athletes without the use of their lower body use cycles propelled by hand pedals in the road cycling events at the London 2012 Paralympics. More about Paralympic design: competitive handcycles
Paralympic design: wheelchair rugby
Chairs used in the wheelchair rugby event at the London 2012 Paralympics are designed to withstand heavy impacts and be easily manoeuvrable. More about Paralympic design: wheelchair rugby
Paralympic design: adaptive rowing equipment
Stabilising pontoons and specially designed seats are just some of the modifications that can be made to equipment used by rowers at the London 2012 Paralympics. More about Paralympic design: adaptive rowing equipment
Paralympic design: Draft Mistral racing wheelchairs
Bespoke racing wheelchairs designed and manufactured by UK firm Draft will be used by a number of medal hopefuls during the London 2012 Paralympics, including Beijing gold medalist David Weir and London Marathon winner Shelly Woods (below). More about Paralympic design: Draft Mistral racing wheelchairs
Paralympic design: Nike Spike Pad for Oscar Pistorius
The London 2012 Paralympics begin tonight and over the coming days we'll be featuring a selection of cutting-edge sportswear designed for the competing athletes, starting with the Nike Spike Pad as worn by "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius. More about Paralympic design: Nike Spike Pad for Oscar Pistorius