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

Chicago’s running scene offers parks, paths and neighborhoods that beg to be explored on foot. We asked the Windrunners, a local run team, to highlight their seven must-see spots.

Fan 101

A Local’s Guide to Running Chicago

A Local's Guide for Where to Run in Chicago

Meet the Windrunners, the city's first all-women sub-elite racing team.

A Chicago Run Team That Makes Everyone Want To Run

How does Nike use athlete feedback? See and hear marathon GOAT Eliud Kipchoge’s line-by-line and word-for-word notes on your next best training shoe.

Hear From Our Ultimate Wear-Tester on the New Zoom Fly 6

We give the UConn do-it-all guard an off-court assignment: Guest editing her whirlwind tour of NYFW.

Behind the Scenes of Paige Bueckers' New York Fashion Week

When a mysterious pain in the Italian fencer's arm was becoming unbearable, doctors told her she might need to stop competing altogether. That's when Nike stepped in to help.

Matching Bebe Vio to Her Ultimate Fencing Tool

Former professional Esports gamer and Nike athlete Uzi challenged himself to run his first 26.2 — and changed his health and life in the process.

How a Marathon Can Turn a Life Around

The fastest woman in the world has always possessed steely resolve. Hear her describe it.

Nike exists to serve the complete athlete, and shares their winning mentality. As a champion for athletes and sport, Nike partners with athletes who share the belief that sport can break barriers, push limits, spark change and move the world forward.

Brand of Athletes

For The Win

Born Tenacious: How Tatyana McFadden Became the Champion She Is Today

An upgrade to one key product could be the unlock for the legendary track and field athlete to achieve her highest potential.

Tatyana McFadden Is the Fastest Woman Alive — the Nike Sport Research Lab Wanted to Help Her Get Faster

The two talk the importance of accountability, the beauty of setting random personal fitness goals, and the magic of unexpected synergy.

Stronger Together: Kaia Gerber and Kirsty Godso are Twin Flames

The duo talk championships, attitudes on the court, and leaving their mark on the game.

A’ja Wilson and Dawn Staley On Their Coach-Player Bond

Sometimes the best strategy is no strategy.

How Breaker Sunny Choi Preps for a Battle

We ask the track and field 400-meter hurdler how she closes the final stretch of the brutal event.