Nike partnered with football icon Kylian Mbappé and his namesake the Inspired by Kylian Mbappé foundation to host a day of sport for thousands of young athletes in Paris, kicking off a series of events to encourage young people to give their best through sport.
More than 2,000 teenagers gathered on Sunday, 5 May in front of the iconic Nike House of Innovation on the Champs-Elysées to take part in individual running, breakdancing, tennis, football and basketball challenges alongside their role model.
"A year ago, I wanted to organise a sport challenge with 2,024 young people on the most beautiful avenue in the world with my foundation", says Kylian, a Nike ambassador. "I am happy to say today that we have done it thanks to Nike, with whom we share the same values and ambitions: to inspire young people to give their best through sport".
The event marks the first stage of Nike's Victory Mode tour, which gives young people across Île-de-France the opportunity to discover new sports and participate in inspiring challenges.
The next stop will be on 18 May in Nanterre, celebrating basketballer Victor Wembanyama's triumphant return to France. Five dates in the Greater Paris area will follow in June and July before the grand finale at Centre Pompidou on 11 August.
"Like all these young people, great champions have inspired me", says Kylian. "They made me want to push my limits to achieve and be the best. That's the victory mode. Today, I am proud to pass on these values to the next generation".
Victory Mode events—organised in collaboration with Golden Blocks, Nike's historical partner in France—are open to all. Participants can register via the Nike Paris app and on Nike.com.