What are Nike sprint ‘super shoes’ worn by Dina Asher-Smith and why was the original design axed for Toyko Olympics?
NIKE’S have released a new sprint ‘super shoe’ after the originals were axed by the company – because they would not have got approval from World Athletics.
And the company have released an adapted version of the running spikes to be worn by Dina Asher-Smith at the Toyko Olympics.
The controversial shoes were being branded as a Usain Bolt-busting solution from Nike – but the American company have shelved the shoes with World Athletics approval all but impossible.
Instead they have released an adapted version, which have been approved by boffins at World Athletics.
And rival companies are also coming up with footwear that has similar technology – with Adidas among the chasing pack.
Expect this to be a big talking point at the Olympics this summer.
What are the Nike Zoom Air Viperfly spikes and will they be allowed at the Tokyo Olympics?
Nike’s cutting-edge running spikes are designed specifically for 100m sprinters.
All sprinters wear footwear with small metal spikes on the bottom for better grip.
Over the last few decades, manufacturers have found ways to make the foot plate more rigid and lighter, which has been approved by athletics officials.
But the Nike shoes have a carbon fibre mechanism under the ball of the foot that acts like a springboard, generating more power in the sprinter’s stride.
Nike said: “This composition, developed alongside the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%, was designed to provide responsiveness and energy.
“It follows deep study of the strategy and performance of the race, and focuses attention on what athletes need most in the last 20 meters of the sprint.”
Currently, we will NOT be seeing these spikes at the Tokyo Olympics, if it goes ahead in the summer of 2021.
Nike will not make these shoes available for athletes in Japan.
The shoes have to be approved by World Atheltics, which approve certain lines of footwear ahead of each world championships, with specific limits on sole thickness.
Nike told SunSport: “World Athletics changed the rules so the shoe will not be produced given Nike respects the rules.
“We have been researching, developing, building, and testing performance footwear for half a century.
“The athlete will always be our focus and we will continue to create new and better solutions for their needs.”
What shoes did Usain Bolt run his 100m and 200m world records in?
Retired Jamaican track icon Bolt ran 9.58sec in the 100m in 2009 at the World Championships in Berlin.
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He then went on and broke his own 200m world record, setting an all-time fastest of 19.19sec in the half lap sprint.
Bolt wore Puma spikes his whole career and was endorsed by the German company since his earliest days as a promising young teenager.