Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer: Court Royalty
21 June 2005 - 5:08AM
PR Newswire (US)
Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer: Court Royalty Wimbledon
Defending Champs Sport Golden Touch BEAVERTON, Ore., June 20
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sometimes, for the creme de la creme of
court royalty, only gold will do. Every time Wimbledon defending
champions Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova take the court at this
year's tournament, Nike is honoring their achievements with regal,
one-of-a- kind gold footwear. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO ) In their
quest for another Wimbledon title, Federer and Sharapova will play
on the grass courts at the All England Club wearing an exclusive
golden version of the Nike Air Zoom Vapor Speed. The distinctive
look comes from a rare gold material that contains 24-karat gold
droplets surrounded by micro- prisms for strength and ultimate
reflectivity. The same 24-karat gold material was used to make the
golden track spikes made famous by Michael Johnson during his
historic run to set the World Record in the 400 meters at the
Sydney Games in 2004. The remaining material had not been used
until now. The golden material appears on the all-white Nike Air
Zoom Vapor Speed throughout the upper and on the back heel, where
Federer and Sharapova's names are featured. In the spotlight and in
the flash of photographer's cameras, the unique Nike Air Zoom Vapor
Speed will deliver a glittering 600 candle-watts of power. Nike
innovation and the regality of gold -- only fitting for two of the
brightest stars in tennis. -- Ten pairs of the golden Nike Air Zoom
Vapor Speed shoes were made for each player to wear throughout the
two weeks of Wimbledon. -- The estimated price for each pair of
golden shoes is $500. -- Considering that the golden material used
in Johnson's, Sharapova's and Federer's shoes is no longer
available, the new golden court shoes are truly priceless. The Air
Zoom Vapor Speed, in all-white, is available at retail immediately
(SRP: $100). The court shoe delivers superior court performance. A
lightweight micro-fiber fabric upper and a mesh tongue deliver
exceptional stability, moisture resistance, additional
breathability and comfort. Additional details of the shoe include:
-- An external heel counter that mirrors the anatomical last for
the ultimate stability, fit and comfort. -- A strategically placed
rubber toe-tip offers additional durability. -- The Caged Zoom Air
unit in the heel and the encapsulated Zoom Air unit in the forefoot
absorb impact pressure off the feet and proved low- profile,
responsive cushioning. -- Double-lasting in the forefoot helps keep
the foot locked in during lateral cuts on the court. -- Nike's
unique Momentum Control System helps to enhance stability. -- A
traditional herringbone-patterned outsole provides durability and
optimum traction on a wide range of court surfaces. About Nike,
Inc. NIKE, Inc. based in Beaverton, Oregon is the world's leading
designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear,
apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and
fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse
Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear,
apparel and accessories; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading designer
and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan (R), which designs,
markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and
accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and
distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and
accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets
athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Nike, Inc. CONTACT: Dean
Stoyer, Brand Comm. of Nike, Inc., +1-503-532-6018 or Web site:
http://www.nikebiz.com/
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