Nike presented a check for $200,000 to Special Olympics Oregon, which
has served over 4,000 participants since 2007. The donation will support
Unified Sports, a program that provides extracurricular sports
opportunities for children, youth and adults in over 30 Oregon
communities.
The check was presented on Oct. 3 at the Opening Ceremonies of Special Olympics Oregon. At the event, 500 Special Olympics Oregon athletes gathered at Nike World Headquarters for the 9th Annual Special Olympics Oregon Youth Games. 400 Nike volunteers and several Nike athletes were on hand at the one-day event to teach young athletes with intellectual disabilities the basics of a popular sport.
Nike's partnership with Special Olympics Oregon is part of the company’s broader commitment to support organizations that provide positive experiences in sport and physical activity for physically and intellectually challenged young athletes.
“Nike believes in the power of sport to move the world and unleash human potential,” said Jorge Casimiro, Vice President of Global Community Impact at Nike. “It's a thrill to support and encourage all of these young athletes today on the track, basketball court, soccer field and at the golf tee.”
Nike's commitment to physically and intellectually challenged athletes also includes design expertise. FLYEASE construction, launched in July with the Zoom Soldier 8 FLYEASE, introduces an innovative wrap-around zipper solution that opens the back of the shoe near the heel-counter, making it easier to slide the foot in and out. Nike will expand FLYEASE to a footwear collection across a few sports beginning in Spring 2016 to provide athletes with a greater range of use.
