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The Cult of Sneakers
When did sportsmanship become so superficial?
“In fact, in 1965 running wasn’t even considered a sport. It wasn’t popular, it wasn’t unpopular: it was just there. Going out for a three-mile run was something weirdos did, presumably to burn off “hysterical energy.” Running for pleasure, running for exercise, running for endorphins, running to live longer and better was unheard of.”
Phil Knight. Shoe Dog
According to Phil Knight the founder of Nike, in his book “Shoe Dog”, before 1965 only track runners and other competitive athletes ran, therefore, anyone who was not in that category, was crazy.
And not only crazy, but also, for that time, there was no niche to drive in commercial terms, the madness of these non-existent but potential runners, and by this I mean clothing, accessories, gadgets and the most important and fundamental of any runner: a good pair of running…
