The shoes. The hair. The finish. At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Shelly-Ann, a five-time world champion, ended her career her way.

Sofieke van Bilsen is a 29-year-old Dutch photographer with a passion for storytelling through imagery. She is in-house photographer to the German women's national football team, and was team photographer for the German Olympic Team in Paris 2024. She works closely with Nike athletes such as Faith Kipyegon, Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan.In her photography, she aims to create compelling visual narratives, focusing on the deep connection between emotion and athleticism. She strives to capture the raw moments behind the scenes, the untold stories of the journey,and everything in between, bringing the spirit of sports to life.Sofieke's personality creates instant connections with people, and she is loved by the athletes she works with. Her relaxed and enthusiastic personality complements an incredible skill level and ability to work in high pressure environments for athletes.

Sofieke van Bilsen

Photo Essay

Icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Ran Her Final 100 Meter On Her Terms

Over the course of his career, LeBron James has shared his passion for the game globally, partnering with Nike to travel throughout Greater China during his offseason, galvanizing a nation in its love for basketball and hoops culture.

Journey of an Icon: 20 Years of LeBron James in China

Powering up steep ascents. Navigating gnarly descents. Whipping mountain winds. Ultra trail running is a relentless sport. But the payoff is well worth the grind.

Ultra Trail Running Can Take Everything You’ve Got — and Give You Even More

NExt volume

Conner Mantz Feature Loop

Davis Jones is the senior editor for about.nike.com. His areas of interest include sport science, performance product design and the history of sport.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Born and raised in Oregon, Davis attended the University of San Diego. Upon graduating, he worked as an editorial intern for Farrar, Straus and Giroux. He was a writer and editor for Surfer magazine before returning to the Pacific Northwest to work for Nike in 2018.&nbsp;

Davis Jones

How do you convince athletes that, while what they’re currently wearing may work, the prototype they’re holding in their hands has the makings of something special?

Feature

How We Partner With Athletes On New Prototypes

About Nike - Stories from Inside NIKE, Inc.

Born of need and elevated by expertise and diligence, today the Department of Nike Archives (DNA) cares for hundreds of thousands of artifacts and a limitless vault of connected stories.&nbsp;The brand archive began organically in the 1970s and officially became DNA in 2006. The department’s purpose is to both preserve and accelerate the ever-evolving and interconnected story of Nike. “Knowing who you are and the fights you’ve come through can do huge things for morale, inspiration, and creativity. That’s what DNA provides.” - Phil Knight

Department of Nike Archives

Created from the experimentation and ingenuity of Nike's co-founder Bill Bowerman, the Nike Moon Shoe's unique design would shape the future of running for decades.

From Waffle Iron to World Stage: The True Story of the Nike Moon Shoe

Before Nike was a worldwide sports brand, it was an upstart company in need of an eye-catching visual identity. Here, the real story of the Swoosh.

History

The Nike Swoosh Logo: From Humble Beginnings to Global Icon

The 1973 Pre Montreal racing spike was an innovation worthy of its rising star endorser, Steve Prefontaine.

Icons

The History of Steve Prefontaine’s "Signature" Track Spike

Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman's quest to create footwear to improve athlete performance is a driving force for Nike's ever-evolving approach to product innovation.

Innovation

Bill Bowerman: Nike’s Original Innovator

Prefontaine's competitive fire, gutsy race tactics and inherent charisma charmed crowds and inspired up-and-coming runners to give it their all.

People

How Steve Prefontaine Set the Pace for Nike

Story Landing

Makeup. Hair. What it feels like to wear the kit, the jersey, the gear. Five up-and-coming Nike women athletes explain why these details matter — and how they bring power to their game.

“The Better I Look and Feel, the Better I Play”

The three-time league MVP and two-time league champion explains how to psych yourself up when the negative mental chatter gets loud.

Fan 101

A'ja Wilson on How Pros Overcome Self-Doubt

Olympian Jess Hull follows four rules that can help you run stronger and faster too.

How A Pro Runner Stays Fit in the Off-Season

Maybe you practiced it for hours in the driveway as a kid. Here, the WNBA champion shares how a perfect swoosh really goes down.

Sabrina Ionescu on the Magic of the Game-Winner

The golf champion talks about her challenges with IVF and pregnancy, and the model she wants to be for her daughter and new baby.

For The Win

Michelle Wie-West Is Still Breaking Barriers

Originally created for Paralympic athletes, the Nike Elite EasyOn backpack shows how universal design benefits everyone.

Making It

Nike Just Made a Better Backpack for Every Body

Follow the voice of NCAA championship coach and three-time Olympic gold medalist Dawn Staley for the motivation you need to train, to focus, to meet your next big goal.

The 2-Minute Pep Talk You Need to Get Moving Right Now

The acclaimed sports analyst calls the shots on the future of the game.

Monica McNutt Says We Haven’t Even Come Close to Peak Women’s Sports

The middle-distance champion on her dominant career, the intersection of motherhood and running identity, and more.

How Faith Kipyegon Empowers Herself — and All Women Runners

No looking backward. The Nike team and its new President & CEO are harnessing the company’s magic to move it to a stronger future.

Elliott Hill on Nike’s Next Great Chapter

The Air Jordan XX receives a special treatment for the 20th anniversary of Doernbecher Freestyle, created by the legendary designer Mark Smith.

An Unforgettable Canvas: The Making of the Air Jordan XX Doernbecher Freestyle

Nike running coach Dora Atim has six reasons for you to put on your shoes now.