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See More Sha’Carri Richardson. Rai Benjamin. Anna Cockrell. They’re some of the fastest humans in the world, and they’re going for gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics. And as part of Team USA, they’ll be wearing Nike’s Olympic track spikes. We got a first-hand look at the gear that keeps them moving—and plays an important role in their story.
All track runners wear spikes, which are specially designed shoes that facilitate speed. They’re lighter than standard running shoes and have a spike in the forefoot of the shoe to give traction. This year, Nike, the maker of all Team USA Track & Field kits, released new models to support the athletes racing toward Olympic gold.
We took a deep dive into the science of speed behind the shoes some of the fastest runners in the world are wearing during this year’s Olympic games.
For sprinters: the Maxfly 2
The Maxfly 2 is designed for speed. It’s the latest sprint spike for the world’s fastest sprinters, and for races like the 100-meter dash, it’s all about power and energy return.
“The sprinters are the most powerful athletes,” says Elliot Heath, a former all-American collegiate middle-distance runner and a professional Nike running athlete.
Heath explains that sprinters need a lot of containment from the upper and bottom of the shoe. The Maxfly 2 provides containment through a woven upper and utilizes Nike’s Air Zoom technology and a full-length carbon fiber plate to keep the athletes on their toes and return more of that powerful energy they’re releasing.
The athletes competing in the Maxfly 2 played a big part in its design and ultimate final product, working closely with Nike to enhance their performance.
For longer distances: the Dragonfly 2
As you go up in distance, it’s all about being efficient and lightweight. That’s where the Dragonfly 2 shines. Built for longer distances on the track, the Dragonfly 2 aims to give runners a smooth transition, with more cushion on the heel and midfoot of the shoe.
The Dragonfly 2 has a full-length curved plate and Nike ZoomX foam, prioritizing comfort, smooth transition, and efficient running. These spikes are ideal for longer track races like the 5K and 10K.
Beyond the track spikes’ function, they are designed to look cool and make the athletes feel good about what they are wearing.
Nike Dragonfly 2 Blueprint — $160.00
Built for speed at slightly longer distances, Nike’s Dragonfly 2 ensures a smooth transition and excellent support for Team USA’s track and field athletes.
Watch track and field events starting on August 1. NBCUniversal is the official U.S. broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
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