Nike Extends Support for Kenyan Athletes, Providing Emergency Medical and Rescue Services

In its latest initiative to support the safety and wellbeing of its Kenyan athletes, Nike today announced a partnership with rescue.co to provide emergency medical and rescue services for all of the brand’s athletes in Kenya.

The partnership provides Nike athletes round-the-clock support from rescue.co’s best-in-class call center and network of ambulance and air transportation providers, giving athletes access to emergency services at all hours of the day.

The new safety measure stems from Nike athletes’ request for additional support for their Kenyan teammates, which came against the backdrop of devastating violence against athletes, particularly female runners, in the East African nation.

“We believe athletes are the best versions of themselves when they feel safe and secure,” says Tanya Hvizdak, VP, Nike Global Women’s Sports Marketing. “The athlete is at the center of everything we do, and their voice is integral to the actions we’re taking in Africa and elsewhere across the world. Not only are we listening to our athletes: We’re a brand that takes action.”

Most recently in Kenya, Nike announced a partnership with Nala Track Club, providing support for the female-only Kenyan organization founded by elite distance runner and Nike athlete Mary Ngugi. Located in Nyahururu City and founded in 2022, the organization seeks to create pathways for young women to succeed in running at the semiprofessional level by providing a holistic, supportive and safe training camp experience.

“Nike has been my support system in allowing me to make an impact for young girls in the community,” Ngugi says. “For this, and Nike’s new initiative to help ensure the safety of my teammates across the country, I’m extremely grateful and proud to be a Nike athlete.

“The new effort shows a significant level of care, which perhaps women previously have felt they lacked. We unfortunately hear so often of the challenges and tragedies that women face here in Kenya, so this support is massively welcome.”

Nike is committed to supporting women across the brand’s athlete roster, including through the pioneering Athlete Think Tank, which gathers elite women athletes and coaches from across the globe to share their insights, thoughts and vision for a more equitable future of sport.

“I welcome Nike’s initiative to support my fellow Kenyan athletes and I with emergency assistance,” says Faith Kipyegon, a member of the Athlete Think Tank and the only runner to win three back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the 1,500 meter. “It makes me proud that Nike cares about our health and safety when it matters most.”

The new safety initiative underscores Nike’s commitment to both listening to the voice of the athlete and, above all else, ensuring they have the ability to live, train and compete with a peace of mind that promotes their wellbeing and ability to reach their athletic potential.

“Our marathon training group spends a lot of time on the roads and in remote areas, so mobile safety measures are very important to us,” says Eliud Kipchoge, the world’s greatest marathoner and the center of Nike’s revolutionary Breaking2 project. “My teammates and I are grateful that Nike provides us with extra protection by supporting us with emergency assistance.”