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Rebels Are Never Done
3 MIN READ “I’m going for a run by myself today,” Steve Prefontaine would often tell his teammates. But that wasn’t quite true. He was actually taking the 66-mile drive north from Eugene to the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem to spend time running and talking with the inmates there. The OSP is one of the oldest prisons in America, housing convicts since 1869. Inside the 26-foot-high walls of the prison is a quarter-mile asphalt track and one of the oldest prison run clubs in the country, founded in the early 1970s by none other than Prefontaine himself. In his four years at Oregon, Pre never lost an NCAA race at 3 miles, 5,000 meters, 6 miles, or 10,000 meters. What began as a visit to the prison for a sociology project became a higher purpose for Pre. “After he met the inmates, he started a training program there and he really enjoyed it,” classmate Mary Marckx told the Department of Nike Archives (DNA). “He believed running can change your life, and he liked the interaction.” Pre would famously run with almost anyone, from high school students to inmates and even young children… Just don’t expect that he’d let the kids win… It’s been almost 50 years since Pre’s untimely death, but the seeds he planted at the OSP have borne fruit. The run club hosts 5Ks and 10Ks from March to October every year, culminating in the High Wall Half Marathon. Civilians are allowed to join the 150-member running club on the runs—this is sometimes the only contact with the outside world afforded to the prisoners. Eighteen months of good behavior are required to join and there’s a waiting list. Runners from across the world make pilgrimages to Pre’s Rock in Eugene. They leave flowers, marathon bibs, and letters filled with hopes and dreams as a tribute to a man who showed everyone that running isn’t just about being fast—it’s about having the guts to be yourself. Although many of the runners in the Oregon State Penitentiary Run Club will never be able to take the hour drive to visit Pre’s Rock, the club raised funds for its dedication in 1997. Runners pay their respects at Pre’s Rock. “Pre continues to run with us as we honor the legacy he most graciously left at the Oregon State Penitentiary,” wrote an inmate at the OSP who responded to an inquiry from DNA via a state corrections official. “Pre found solace in his visits here. Although he’s remembered as a man who didn’t care what others thought of him, few people on the outside knew where he was going when he came to OSP. “His natural ability and rebellious nature struck a note with us,” continued the inmate. “While here to train and promote running as a lifestyle, he’s most fondly remembered for simply sitting with the inmates after a run and talking about life’s trials. Now, decades after his visits and early passing, none of those men remain at OSP. However, his spirit lives on in legend and has reached the status of folklore hero.” Even after they break the tape, rebels are never done.G.O.A.T.S of Tennis
Who is the best men's tennis player ever? GOAT ranking for Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and others.. The ongoing golden era in men's tennis means every Grand Slam event throws up questions of legacy and history. Roger Federer retired after one last Laver Cup doubles match with long-time rival Rafael Nadal, making the Swiss great the first of the ATP Tour's 'big three' to step away from the sport. Between them, Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic have redefined what tennis greatness means and the argument over who is the best of them all remains on shifting sands. But who is leading the way right now and how do they stack up against the greats of previous eras? The Sporting News ranks the best of the best in the men's game. 6. Jimmy Connors Connors enjoyed an incredible spell of dominance in the 1970s, although his imperious 1974 season remains one of tennis' great what-ifs. While compiling an astonishing 99-4 record over the calendar year, the American won all three Grand Slams he contested at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. But Connors' participation in the World Team Tennis league meant he was banned from competing at the French Open. When he was able to return to Roland-Garros in 1979, Connors began a run of four semifinals and three quarterfinals over the next seven years, leaving no doubt over his prowess on clay, which was also the surface for his triumphant 1974 campaign at the US Open. The longevity that saw a 39-year-old Connors reach the semifinals of the 1991 US Open on hard courts goes some way to explaining a record 109 titles on the ATP Tour. Federer is the only other player to have reached three figures with 100 exactly, but his injury woes of late mean Connors' haul is likely to endure for posterity alongside his eight major titles. 5. Bjorn Borg Borg was the initial beneficiary of Connors' French Open absence, winning back-to-back titles in 1974 and 1975. Those were the first two of 11 Grand Slam titles, all of which the stylish Swede carved out amid the contrasting surroundings of Roland-Garros and SW19. After beating Ilie Nastase for his first Wimbledon title in 1976, he defeated Connors in the next two finals and replaced his foe as world number one. For three years in succession between 1978 and 1980, Borg completed the French Open and Wimbledon double before retaining the French but losing to John McEnroe on the grass in 1981. McEnroe also defeated Borg in that year's US Open final — he lost two showpieces each to Connors and McEnroe in New York, who remained the only players to beat him with a Grand Slam trophy on the line. The 1981 French Open was Borg's final slam triumph before he announced his shock first retirement in January 1983, aged 26. 4. Rod Laver An all-court master who straddled the amateur and Open eras, Laver already had an Australian Open from his home major in 1960 and a Wimbledon crown from 1961 before completing the calendar Grand Slam of winning all four majors in 1962. Seven years later, and with tennis now in a bold new age, he repeated the trick. Even allowing for the phenomenal exploits of the players we are yet to discuss, the extent of Laver's single-year achievements is underlined by the fact that no male player has repeated them. His overall haul of 200 career titles is highly unlikely ever to be surpassed and there would probably be more than 11 Grand Slams within that number had he not been barred from competing at them for five years between 1963 and 1968 due to turning professional. 3. Roger Federer It almost feels like sacrilege to place Federer at number three on this list, given he expanded the horizons of what was possible in elite tennis and did so in the most sumptuous, easy-on-the-eye style imaginable. As a 19-year-old, he secured what would come to be viewed as a torch-passing win over Pete Sampras (if this list were any longer, 'Pistol Pete' would have come in seventh, just to placate any potentially irritated fans) at Wimbledon in 2001. Two years later, Federer won the first of five successive SW19 titles. The last two in that run came at the expense of Nadal, who beat him in a five-set thriller to end the streak in 2008. By that stage, he already had three Australian Opens and four US Opens to his name, adding a fifth at the end of the year by beating Andy Murray in straight sets. Federer completed the career Grand Slam in 2009 as he beat Nadal's surprise conqueror Robin Soderling in the French Open final. That remains his only success at Roland-Garros, where he has lost four finals to Nadal. Victory against home favourite Murray at Wimbledon in 2012 was Federer's 17th slam and last for almost five years, before back-to-back wins in Melbourne in 2017 and 2018 on either side of Wimbledon number eight made him the first man in history to win 20 majors. In September 2022, Federer announced that the Laver Cup that month would be his final tournament before his retirement. "Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career," he explained. 2. Novak Djokovic As the youngest of the three, there was a time when Djokovic looked set to be the third wheel in the Nadal-Federer saga, even if his maiden Australian Open win in 2008 served notice of his huge potential. He won again in Melbourne in 2011 — the first of three in succession and five in six years at a slam he has conquered nine times — to set in motion a phenomenal year. A four-set win at Wimbledon began a run of three consecutive Grand Slam final wins over Nadal before falling to the master of clay in Paris when they squared off again at Roland-Garros in 2012. Djokovic then dropped the 2012 US Open final and 2013 Wimbledon final to Murray either side of beating the Scot in Melbourne. This was truly the 'big four' era, with Djokovic establishing himself at the head of the pack in 2015, winning his customary Australian and defeating Federer in the SW19 and New York finals after a surprise loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in Paris. Roland-Garros glory eventually arrived at Murray's expense the following year, meaning he held all four slams simultaneously, the only man to do so since Laver in 1969. The 'Nole Slam' preceded lengthy struggles with an elbow problem that required surgery but, by the turn of the decade, Djokovic was back on top. When he won his 35th Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati in 2020 (he now holds a record 38), he completed the 'Golden Masters' — winning each of those nine events — for the second time. No other player has managed to do so even once. In 2021, he was on course to emulate Laver's Grand Slam exploits, only to fall at the last. Daniil Medvedev won their US Open final in straight sets to leave Djokovic tied with Federer on 20 major triumphs. The issue of his vaccination status meant he could not compete at last year's Australian Open and he was beaten by Nadal at Roland-Garros. But number 21 arrived with an authoritative four-set win over Nick Kyrgios, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon final after Nadal withdrew from their semifinal through injury. World number one Medvedev was absent from the tournament as Djokovic won his fourth consecutive Wimbledon. 1. Rafael Nadal As Federer did in 2017 and 2018 and Djokovic followed by dominating after his elbow surgery, Nadal is now enjoying a purple patch very few predicted and it places him out in front in the all-time standings. Djokovic's coronavirus saga left him unable to chase a 10th Australian Open in January 2022 and Nadal capitalised, coming from two sets down to defeat Medvedev lift the trophy at Melbourne Park for a second time — 13 years after his first title. There have been no such gaps in Nadal's mastery of Roland-Garros and a stirring quarterfinal win over Djokovic set him en route to a scarcely credible 14th major on clay last year. If Nadal had only his Paris dominance to his name it would place him among the all-time greats. But he also remodelled his game to compete and then triumph at Wimbledon against a prime Federer at a stage when their rivalry beautifully cajoled each man to greater heights. Djokovic has had the better of their rivalry on grass of late and Nadal has not reached a Wimbledon final since 2011, adding an extra layer of frustration to his withdrawal last time around after a titanic quarterfinal win over Taylor Fritz that pushed his body to and, ultimately, beyond the limit. Djokovic's refusal to get a coronavirus vaccination boosted Nadal's chances at last year's US Open, but a surprise defeat to Frances Tiafoe meant there would be no third Slam triumph in 2022. A hobbling Nadal was upset by Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets in the second round of the Australian Open. Once again, it feels very hard to separate him and Djokovic, meaning Rafa needs another magical performance at his old Roland-Garros stomping ground.Benefits of Running
2 MIN READ Everyone knows that running is a great way to get into shape, but it can also benefit almost every part of your body and lift your mood. Whether it's your favorite part of the day or something you have to push yourself through, the benefits are undeniable. The next time you're thinking of skipping a run, think of these six reasons to get your butt out the door or on the treadmill. Running Improves Your Health Believe it or not, running is actually a great way to increase your overall level of health. Research shows that running can raise your levels of good cholesterol while also helping you increase lung function and use. In addition, running can also boost your immune system and lower your risk of developing blood clots. It Prevents Disease For women, running can actually help to lower your risk of breast cancer. It can also help reduce the risk of having a stroke. Many doctors today recommend running for people who are in the early stages of diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis, and it is proven to help reduce the risk of having a heart attack. By helping the arteries retain their elasticity and strengthening the heart, your chances of suffering a heart attack can be significantly reduced. You Might Lose Weight Running is one of the best forms of exercise for losing or maintaining a consistent weight. You will find that it is a leading way to burn off extra calories and that it is the second most effective exercise in terms of calories burned per minute, following only after cross country skiing. Running Boosts Your Confidence Not all of the benefits of running are physical. Running can provide an noticeable boost to your confidence and self-esteem. By setting and achieving goals, you can help give yourself a greater sense of empowerment that will leave you feeling much happier. It Relieves Stress Stress can actually cause a number of health and mood problems. It can also diminish appetite and sleep quality. When you run, you force your body to exert excess energy and hormones. Running also helps to reduce your chances of developing tension headaches. Running has the Power to Eliminate Depression When you are depressed, the last thing you likely want to do is to get up and go for a run. Yet you will find that after only a few minutes of running, your brain will start to secrete hormones that naturally improve your mood. In fact, there are few things in the world that can better or more rapidly treat depression than exercise such as running. Running is incredibly beneficial to the body, mind and spirit. You will find that even short runs can leave you feeling more energized, more focused and better able to enjoy all that life has to offer.Never Done Rising
2 MIN READ On a Tuesday night in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, a group of young athletes meet for basketball training on the Atherton Gardens court. Most of them live in the high-rise buildings that tower over them. This is their backyard. On the surface, this session is about skills, but it’s also about breaking down barriers, so these athletes can find strength in each other’s differences on a level playing field. Multi-purpose court at Atherton Gardens in Fitzroy, Melbourne The community is brought together by two sporting clubs – Helping Hoops and Fitzroy Lions SC. Both clubs aim to remove the barriers and get these young athletes to play. But their influence reaches into every part of these athletes’ lives. THE PLAYERS For these players, it’s about celebrating each other’s differences and learning to believe in their teammates, and in themselves. “Being here is not just about sport. It connects us, regardless of our differences,” says Fitzroy Lions athlete Abdul, 8. To Helping Hoops athlete Akuech “It’s a safe place. If I’m doing something outside of school or I need help with tutoring or something, I can rely on my coaches and team mates. They’re always there to support me.” To Khalid, 12: “Being part of a team, you get to learn more about others, no matter who they are. Win or lose, we lift each other up.” THE COACHES For the coaches, these sessions are about instilling belief and pride in these young athletes. Helping Hoops Coach Omar Coles has his own acronym that sums it up: B.E.A.R. “Belief, Action, Energy and Repetition,” he explains. “Once you've accomplished something, your confidence grows. That's the thing about sport, it helps you believe in yourself.” To Fitzroy Lions coach Eloise Young, “When our kids run out onto the pitch, they’re representing their neighborhood and their community, and they can feel proud of where they come from.” THE PARENTS Training sessions are a reason for the whole community to get together. Parents, friends, and siblings sit on the grass surrounding the court, and they join in too. “It’s our yard,” says Josephine, whose son Emmanuel is part of Helping Hoops. “I grew up here, my kids have grown up here”, she says. “It gives them so much confidence, having this space to play together. They're learning to respect each other and celebrate their differences. I love seeing how this generation are using this space.” Empowered by community, these young athletes define their futures with the lessons learned on the court. A future where sport provides a common ground, so we can all rise together.The oldest organised sport in North America
1 MIN READ Lacrosse is a team sport played with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse ball. It is the oldest organized sport in North America, with its origins with the indigenous people of North America as early as the 12th century. The modern sport is governed by World Lacrosse and is the only international sport organization to recognize First Nations bands and Native American tribes as sovereign nations. The organization hosts the World Lacrosse Championship for men, the Women's Lacrosse World Cup, the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship for box lacrosse, and the Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships for both men and women. Each is held every four years. Lacrosse at the Summer Olympics has been contested at two editions of the Summer Olympic Games, 1904 and 1908. It was also held as a demonstration event at the 1928, 1932, and 1948 Summer Olympics.The Nike Dunk High “50 Years Of Hip-Hop”
1 MIN READ Originating in New York City in the 1970s, the genre known as hip-hop has influenced music, style, fashion, and the business for half a century. It spans a variety of talents beyond a lyrical game, with distinct sounds coming from all regions of the world. Simply put, hip-hop is more than just sounds, it’s a voice for an entire culture that evolves faster than any other genre. In 2023, Nike honors 50 Years Of Hip-Hop with the “Classics” Pack. Already revealed in the Blazer Mid ’77, Air Force 1 High, and Air Force 1 Low, we’re now graced with official images of the Dunk High, seen here with the same yellowed midsole, spray-painted effect on the Swoosh, and custom tongue label. The Dunk High features some edge via the tumbled leather on both the black overlay and grey underlay, while the golden microphone hangs off the chain.The iconic Nike Air-Jordan brand
1 MIN READ The film is set in the early 1984 when Nike was still trying to make a name in sportswear and Jordan was a rookie. It shows how the massively popular Air Jordan brand was born. “This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time,” the film’s logline reads.
