While the Fourth of July is over, we are still feeling patriotic and prideful as we enter the summer Olympics. As the buzz for the highly anticipated event builds, we find ourselves reminiscing on past footwear moments that have contributed to golds for Team USA. Here are the most iconic shoes in Olympic history.
Air Jordan 7 ‘Olympic’ (1992 Barcelona)
The Air Jordan 7 'Olympic' first graced the court on the feet of Michael Jordan during the Dream Team's iconic gold medal run at the Barcelona Olympics. Jordan continued to make history in this model, leading the Chicago Bulls to their second consecutive NBA Championship—a testament to a sneaker designed for greatness. Fifteen years later, the Air Jordan 7 'Olympic' was re-released, returning to the Olympic stage on the feet of Carmelo Anthony during the 2004 Summer Olympics.
In 2010, the iconic Air Jordan 7 'Olympic' returned as part of the World Basketball Festival-inspired "For the Love of the Game" pack. This edition featured a crisp white base, elegantly accented with navy, gold, and red. Its clean, timeless design cements its status as one of the greatest Olympic-themed sneakers ever created.
Nike Air “Swoopes” 2 ‘USA’ (1996 Atlanta)
While the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona marked a pivotal moment in sports history with the "Dream Team," the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta were all about women. The USA women's basketball team, led by the trailblazing Sheryl Swoopes, made history by bringing home the gold medal. Swoopes then became the first female basketball player to have her own signature sneaker—hell yeah! The Swoopes were reissued in 2018, staying true to the classic design with a striking combination of red, white, and navy.
Michael Johnson’s Gold Shoes (1996 Atlanta)
During the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Michael Johnson captured the world's attention by wearing a custom pair of gold Nikes. Setting new Olympic records in both the 400-meter and 200-meter dash, Johnson's gold shoes perfectly matched his gold medals, earning him the nickname "The Man with the Golden Shoes." His legacy endures to this day.
The innovative shoes, designed by Tobie Hatfield, featured spikes made from Zytel, making them the lightest track shoes of their time. This milestone marked a significant moment in Nike's journey of groundbreaking shoe design.
Air Max BW ‘Olympic’ (1996 Atlanta & 2016 Rio)
The Nike Air Max 'Bigger Window,' designed by the legendary Tinker Hatfield, featured Max cushioning and a plush midsole, with the "big window" referring to its prominent Air Unit on the sole. In 1996, Nike introduced this sneaker in the 'Olympic' colorway for US athletes, showcasing a primarily black and blue upper with a small yet impactful American flag detail on the heel. Just in time for the Rio Olympics in 2016, Nike re-released the Air Max BW 'Olympic,' and it generated as much, if not more, hype than ever before.
Nike Hyperdunk (2008 Beijing)
With the world watching, Kobe Bryant led Team USA to a thrilling victory against Spain, clinching the gold medal with a monumental three-pointer. Interestingly, Bryant wasn't wearing his signature shoe but the new Nike Hyperdunk. These basketball shoes featured a plastic and rubber hard outsole that extended to the heel, accented with navy and red. Their lightweight design made them the lightest and best-performing sneakers on the planet. The Hyperdunks' standout performance on the Beijing stage catapulted them to worldwide popularity, and they were later worn again in Rio in 2016.
Nike KD 9 ‘USA’ (2016 Rio)
At the peak of the 2016 Summer Olympics, Kevin Durant was cementing his status as the best basketball player in the world. In perfect timing, Nike released the new edition of his signature shoe, the KD 9s. As part of a larger pack, the USA colorway featured an all-white exterior with a striking red swoosh and blue accents. This design struck the perfect balance of patriotism and performance, allowing Durant to shine on the court without distraction.
Air Jordan 6 ‘Olympic’ (2000, 2012, 2024)
Dressed in a blend of crisp navy and white overlays, the iconic Jordan 6 plans on a triumphant return for this year's Olympics in Paris. This colorway was first released in 2000 for the Sydney Olympics, and returned again in 2012 in London. The red accents compliment this USA themed shoe for the perfect balance that shines on the court, and while Michael Jordan never wore them during an Olympic game, they are still a favorite colorway among fans.
