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

Nike track and field coach Diljeet Taylor shares her secret to sprinting through the finish line.

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

Fan 101

How Pro Runners Prepare for a Powerful Kick

The champion shares how preserving her sense of realness comes from surrounding herself with the loved ones who’ll tell it to her straight, how she views the role of honesty in sport, and the thrill she takes in defying the haters.

For The Win

Sha'Carri Richardson Thrives Off the Doubters

HOLD

The 20-year-old phenom speaks to transcending his own limits, banishing fear from his life, turning off his phone and more.

The Legend of Victor Wembanyama is Growing

It’s about more than running as fast as you can for a lap. Here, the champion sprinter shares her secrets.

Nike is celebrating a love of sport with the world by providing fandom-fueling stories and distinct, engaging experiences in Paris and beyond.

Powering Sport

Sanya Richards-Ross Explains How to Win the 400 Meter Sprint

Too close to call? We dust off the rulebook for five sports to explain how to crown a winner.

Your Guide to Tiebreakers in Paris

Representing and empowering Native athletes is only the beginning.

Hammer Thrower Janee’ Kassanavoid Is Ready to Leave Her Mark

The lightning-fast format returns to Paris this summer. Allisha Gray, guard for the Atlanta Dream and a member of Tokyo’s gold medal–winning team, explains the most important details behind 3-on-3 basketball.

Everything You Need to Know About 3-on-3 Basketball

The American track and field legend explains why the 4 x 100 meter relay is not about the runners; it's about the baton.

Carl Lewis on the 4 x 100 Meter Sprint Relay

The famed graffiti artist led this season’s collection, tapping into a special memory from Paris.

Making It

Futura Brings Street Cred to Nike's Breaking Collection

The competitive advantage for athletes like Beatriz Hatz, Sifan Hassan, and Sha’Carri Richardson? Shoes, boots and spikes with our proprietary cushioning technology.

Women Who Win on Nike Air

The tennis star and iconic designer on pushing boundaries in sport, style, and life.

Naomi & Yoon: Their Game to Change

The motivational coach and former champion sprinter shares how she gets her head in the game.