Adidas is giving its successful Olympic athletes at Rio 2016 even more reason to smile.
The brand are giving a select group of its medal-winning athletes at Rio 2016 – potentially including the likes of Jessica Ennis-Hill, Laura Trott and Sonny Bill Williams – a tailor-made pair of 3D printed running shoes, the first that the brand have ever made.
The sneaker consists of an engineered 3D web structure with dense zones in high force areas, and a 3D printed heel counter, which brings 3D printing into the upper of the shoe – the technology means that Adidas haven't needed to go through the usual process of gluing or stitching. The upper is made of new, highly-breathable PRIMEKNIT – and the first athlete to recieve her pair was New Zealand Women's rugby player Tyla Nathan-Wong, who won silver.
Adidas are calling the sneakers – which have been approved and tested for long-distance running of up to 10km – the 3D Printed Winners Shoe.
Gold medal winners will receive a gold pair of laces in their sneakers.
Laces for the sneakers come in three colours and each athlete will receive the colour that represents their Olympic success: bronze, silver or gold.
As of right now, there's no release date on the 3D Printed Winners Shoe, with priority being given to athletes at Rio 2016.
