sports stories

i was introduced to one of the commercials for nike's new campaign featuring female athletes and strange commercials to go with them. i tried to visit the website nikewomen.com, but the landing page informed that i didn't have the latest version of flash, so i clicked the link they gave me and d/l it, and now the website still doesn't work. so that is kind of annoying, but i still enjoy watching the commercials and learning about the athletes.

Originally a hurdler, Nicola overcame heartbreak and injury, injury, and has risen to become a formidable sprinter and a Beijing hopeful. Among her many accolades, she won silver in the 2007 World Championships and became European Indoor Champion, both in the 400 metres. Last August she was also named British Woman Athlete of the Year. She says her strength has always come from maintaining her sense of humour and listening to her body.


Despite growing up in a family of sports enthusiasts, Nicola had no designs on becoming a professional athlete. Yet as she found herself wanting to push her physical limits, she fell in love with the triathlon. To Nicola, the harder the race, the bigger the rush. This mentality has served her well as she has succeeded in becoming Junior European Champion, Junior World Champion, 3rd in the Elite European Championship, and is now ranked 6th in the world. If the physical exhaustion of being a professional triathlete ever starts to feel too easy, she has a second career as a law student to fall back on.


"They" love her one day and hate her the next. Glorify her, then vilify her. Yet despite the naysayers, critics and cynics, Maria thrives. 18 WTA and three Grand Slam titles later, she continues to be rewarded for listening to no one but herself.


Only after a schoolyard race did Simona start to see the value of her too-long legs. It sparked a new interest in the track where her parents trained and she soon discovered a passion for jumping. She went on to compete as a triple jumper in the Olympic Games in 2004, the World Championships in 2005, the National Championships in 2006, and she's now training to qualify for Beijing.


Delphine attributes her success as a judoka to everything from cross training, to perseverance, to dreaming. Despite the combative and demanding nature of her sport, she remains true to her femininity and even her oh-so-girlish indulgence of shopping.

this campaign hails from wieden & kennedy amsterdam. most of the videos were produced and directed by paranoid us. there are a ton more amazing videos on their website. the video featuring delphine was created by stink digital. i don't really like the last one except the end when the judo outfit turns into a dress. i think i relate most to the first video since i used to be a 400m runner as well as a hurdler. it really takes a toll on your knees.