There is no impossible in a great challenge.
Nike is conducting a great challenge 'Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs 1 mile 4 minutes' to break the 1 mile 4 minutes barrier for female athletes with Faith Kipyegon, the world record holder in the women's 1 mile (approximately 1.6 km) and 1,500 meters institutional sector.
'Breaking4' aims to boldly challenge a record long considered impossible, inspiring future generations and providing a stepping stone for greater dreams. This monumental challenge will take place on June 26 in Stade Charléty, Paris, France.
Kipyegon aims to break the record set by Roger Bannister almost 70 years ago, becoming the first woman to surpass the 4:07.65 world record she set in 2023 by 7.65 seconds. By choosing the new challenge of breaking the 1 mile in under 4 minutes rather than her already dominant 1,500 meters, she is expected to establish her status as the most record-holding female middle-distance runner and set a new milestone in sports history.
Regarding her motivation for this challenge, Kipyegon said, "I have won Olympic gold medals three times and triumphed at the World Athletics Championships. Yet, I thought to myself, 'What else can I achieve?'" As a mother, she shared, "So I decided to think outside the box and dream anew. Ultimately, I continued this challenge with the belief that 'if I believe in myself, and my team believes in me, I can do it.'"
To support Kipyegon's historic challenge alongside Nike, Nike is mobilizing all its resources to create optimal conditions for achieving innovative outcomes. From aerodynamics, physiology, shoes, and clothing to mental strength training, they are focused on maximizing her performance through generous support based on cutting-edge sports science and innovation.
Elliott Hill, chairman and CEO of Nike, Inc., noted, "Faith is an athlete with a talent that comes around once a generation. Faith's bold goals exemplify what Nike stands for," adding, "Breaking4 is an ambitious challenge that mobilizes all of Nike's capabilities to turn dreams into reality. It will instill confidence in all athletes, including elite performers, that anything is possible. No brand offers the expertise, innovation, and support like Nike. Together with Faith, Nike's innovators are breaking long-standing barriers by combining cutting-edge sports science with innovative shoes and apparel to support Faith in achieving historic goals."
Nike's comprehensive support system for athletes strengthens its position as a leading champion for women in sports by providing an optimized environment for them. This also continues Nike's brand heritage of pioneering new paths for female athletes.
John Hoke, chief innovation officer at Nike, emphasized, "This courageous attempt to break through boundaries is like the magic created by the combination of art, science, and athletes, and its impact will only expand," adding, "As we have always done, we are approaching our mission to help all athletes achieve greatness with awe."
Furthermore, Kipyegon's challenge symbolizes courage, aspiration, and freedom, delivering a message that encourages all athletes, regardless of background or field, to pursue even the hardest goals without hesitation. She states, "You can dream, and you can achieve that dream," emphasizing, "What we must do as women is to surpass our limits and move toward greater dreams." Through this, she actively demonstrates to future generations that courage arises from the challenge itself, no matter what the goal is.
This project is the latest example of Nike's history, showcasing bold and challenging moments in sports, such as Joan Benoit Samuelson's first women's Olympic marathon victory and Eliud Kipchoge's breaking of the 2-hour marathon barrier in Breaking2.
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