Nike celebrates the power of women

Celebrating a summer of outstanding female achievement in sport, Nikewomen will host an exclusive exhibition at Niketown, London. The exhibition of artwork and athletes is part of Nike’s ‘Here I Am’ campaign, inspiring women to fall in love with the buzz of being a sportswoman.

The exhibition is fuelled by the launch of Nikewomen’s ‘Here I Am’ Athlete Book which hero’s 22 young international female athletes. Every chapter is a unique visual interpretation of each athlete’s journey, highlighting the confidence and strength they have gained through sports.

The ground floor of Niketown will present graphic, artistic and photographic imagery from the Athlete Book taking visitors on an inspiring, quirky and humorous journey through a sportswoman’s life, emphasising her goals, her ambitions and her personal style, in a way that humanises Nike’s sports stars including tennis star, Maria Sharapova, Olympic Heptathlete, Kelly Sotherton and record breaking England striker Lianne Sanderson.

According to 400m hurdler, Perri Shakes-Drayton, who appears in the book: “I believe these stories need to be told because a lot of girls look at sports as being a masculine thing – not girly at all. This book will inspire girls. I hope it gets more girls participating in sports - not even just sport – getting active in some way that they enjoy.”

The exhibition will be launched to the public during the first week of September and will run from 1st - 31st September 2008. The timing of the exhibition will offer a perfect opportunity to welcome home some of the female athletes who competed at the Beijing Olympics. Opening night will witness guest appearances from UK athletes Kelly Sotherton, Nicola Sanders, Steph Twell, Lianne Sanderson and Emma Byrne who back Nikewomen’s inspiring campaign and will share their experiences of how they have gained confidence through sport.

The limited edition book will not be available for purchase, but those who want to get hold of a copy should log on to nikewomen.com as of September 1st where they have the chance to win one. The book will also be exhibited in all European NikeWomen stores, including Niketown London as of early September.