Posted: July 14, 2004

Athletics: Nike and USATF unveil 2004 Olympic track & field uniform

SACRAMENTO – Nike on Tuesday unveiled the Team USA track & field uniform for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Appearing at the unveiling to model the uniform and speak to the press were 2004 Olympic Justin Gatlin; 2000 Olympic gold medalist Stacy Dragila; four-time world champion Allen Johnson; 2003 U.S. champion and American junior record holder Sanya Richards; 2004 Olympian Shalane Flanagan; 2003 U.S. champion Grace Upshaw; and 1999 world champion Inger Miller.

Excerpts from the press conference are provided below. The full text of the Nike press release describing the uniform follows. For full athlete bios, visit www.usatf.org

Justin Gatlin
On how it feels to wear his first Olympic uniform: “It feels really good. This is what I’ve wanted all my life, since I was high school, since I was in middle school. … I think this is the greatest uniform I’ve ever put on. I like them a lot, they feel great.”

On the men’s 100m final on Sunday: “My race felt like destiny. I wanted to make it on the team and that I’m going to do.”

On how long he will be in the sport: “I see 10, 11, 12 years ahead of me. I want to make a career of it, make a legacy out of it.”

Stacy Dragila
“I was in the Olympic uniform in 2000. This is an awesome concept. This year I think they really listened to the athletes. The colors look good on everybody. It feels great. When you’re in something that doesn’t creep and crawl, it’s great.

On the multiple world records in the women’s pole vault this year: “It’s exciting to be a part of it. In 2000, I was out by myself, this year I’m in the mix with a couple of people. I’m ready for the challenge. When it comes down to the Olympics, it’s going to be a showdown.”

“I love to compete here in Sacramento. I’m very comfortable here with my friends and family.”

Sanya Richards
On running so fast – breaking her American junior record – in the first round of the women’s 400m: “I’m trying to take it one round at a time. I think it’s going to be great. It’s a good changing of the guard with all the collegians doing well.

I accomplished everything I wanted to in college. I’d recommend that everyone experience college. I think it (turning professional) was the best decision for me. It worked perfectly for me.”

Toby Stevenson
“All my celebrating is really a relaxation technique.

“The men’s pole vault has improved by leaps and bounds this year.

“There’s a ton of outside pressure. In the pole vault, anything can happen at any time.

Re: The uniform: “I like it, it feels great. It’s the best thing I’ve put on in my whole career.”

Shalane Flanagan
On the women’s 5,000m final: “It was an amazing race. To be honest with you, I was pretty negative during the race. I was hoping that I wouldn’t be leading throughout, but I have been training so hard and they were racing so slowly. I put it in there, grinded it out.”

On mother being a competitive athlete: “Recently, we’ve been talking about this. It’s not so much a runner-runner relationship, but a mother-daughter relationship when we talk. I want to keep a balanced lifestyle.”

Grace Upshaw
On her goals for the women’s long jump final: “Obviously, I’m looking to be in the top three. It felt good to get the first jump out of the way last night. I’ve always been a really consistent jumper. The better I’m getting, the more consistent I’m jumping. My goal is to jump the best that I can on Thursday. I know that if I jump well, everything will be good.”

On her father, Monte, being the former high school record holder in the long jump (breaking Jesse Owens’ record in 1954 as a high school senior): “Long jumping is in my blood. It’s everywhere; I can’t get away from it.”

Allen Johnson
“I feel good. I’ve been running really consistently. I’m ready to go to Athens and get my gold medal back. Since I crossed the finish line in Sydney, that’s been my focus. I’ve been training hard and I’m ready.

“Every Olympics is different. The first was special because it was the first. The second was special because I could do the same thing I did four years before. I want this one to be special because I want to get my gold medal back. This will not be my last “hurrah,” it will not be my last Olympics.

“Athens is special because I’m a little superstitious. I won my second world championships in Athens, I want to win my second gold medal there.

“At the Olympic Trials, I think you have people step up and have the best performances of their lives. You’re not as much concerned about how well you’ve performed, but what’s going to go wrong.

“As I get older and people write me off, that motivates me. As the years go on and I continue to compete well, I’ll keep competing.”

Jen Toomey
“I’m very excited for the 1500 this weekend. I’m probably more ready for it than the 800 meters. I used the 800 as a tune-up for the 1500. I’m excited to give it a go. I love the rhythm of the 1500. It’s a very natural event for me.”

Inger Miller
“I feel a lot better than I did Saturday. I definitely feel that I’m ready to run well. I was disappointed and devastated last weekend.

“The sprints for women are pretty much wide open. This is a time in which no one knows what to expect. We’re going to see some good races.”

“I still have love for this sport. As long as I have love and drive, I’m going to compete. I’m not going to say at 35 ‘that’s it.’”

SACRAMENTO, CA – July 13, 2004 – Today, Nike and USA Track & Field unveiled the 2004 federation uniforms at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Sacramento, California. Many of the sport’s top athletes were in attendance to reveal the uniforms that will debut in Athens and be worn during the next four years of competition. The collection, which includes the Nike Swift Suit, Marathon Singlet and Unitards, feature a bold USA identity and the colors of Red, White and Blue.

During the two-year design process, special attention was paid to zoned aerodynamics, strategic seam placement, weight reduction, thermoregulation, and articulated fit. “We believe apparel to be a piece of equipment, not an accessory,” said Jordan Wand, Nike Global Director of the Advanced Innovation Team. “Apparel must not only fit optimally so that it doesn’t impede the athlete’s maximum performance, the design can actually make an athlete faster through advanced materials, aerodynamic considerations and innovative cooling technologies.”

The Nike Swift Suit was immortalized in 2000 when Cathy Freeman wore it to gold in Sydney in the 400m. Nike Swift technology has since been applied to other sports such as speed skating, cycling, rowing and swimming. The 2004 Swift Suit for track and field is lighter, more breathable and most importantly, faster. Much of the innovation developed for Nike Swift technology has been used in each piece of the 2004 USA Track and Field uniforms.

The new Marathon Singlet uses Nike seamless technology to minimize seams that might chafe over the course of extended running periods. The Men’s Short-Sleeved Unitard features seaming that has been moved to the back of the garment for improved aerodynamics and hems with a patented no-sew finish, in place of seams, that fit snugly against the skin.

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®, which designs, markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories.