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Lawsuit against Nike, NSAF alleges negligence led to sexual assault at Elite track camp. Vicki M. Young Tue, September 22, 2026 at 10:25 AM PDT Nike and the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF) have been sued for negligence on charges of improper supervision of teenage athletes that resulted in the alleged sexual assault of a female participant. The alleged assault occurred during a Nike Elite Program for 40 top high school track-and-field athletes over the July 4 weekend. The track-and-field camp was hosted by Nike at its headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. The lawsuit said the both Nike and the NSAF sponsored the camp and provided financial assistance to the athletes that include airfare and hotel accommodations. Twenty male and 20 female high school athletes stayed at a nearby hotel in Beaverton where the alleged assault occurred, according to a federal U.S. district court complaint that was filed on Sept. 16. The lawsuit, filed by Jane Doe and her parents, said that the athletes socialized together at the hotel, with some of the athletes' parents also present but on their own separate itinerary on assurances that the student athletes would have proper supervision by Nike and NSAF staff. The hotel room where the alleged assault occurred was in one of the rooms provided to the athletes by Nike and NSAF. The complaint said a group of athletes Follow Footwear News on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

Nike introduces Alphafly 4 marathon racing shoe with New ZoomX LT foam, lighter design, and more energy return. by Gino Jabines -September 19, 2026 MANILA - Nike is introducing Alphafly 4, a marathon racing shoe rebuilt as a complete system to help more runners carry speed over distance. The shoe delivers 10 percent more energy return than its predecessor; is 5 percent lighter in a men's size 8.5; and features a new Atomknit upper, ZoomX LT foam, updated Air Zoom units, a carbon-fiber Flyplate and Fast Shot outsole. The challenge was not making a fast shoe faster. The challenge was helping more runners hold onto speed and efficiency as fatigue changes the race. Built on a legacy that helped redefine marathon racing, Alphafly 4 balances propulsion, cushioning, comfort and stability to help runners stay connected to their pace, form and goals from the first mile through the final push. "A marathon is dynamic. With Alphafly 4, we spent years listening to athletes, studying how fatigue impacts performance and running mechanics, refining every element of the system to help runners maintain efficiency when it matters most," says Emily Farina, Senior Principal, Running Footwear, Nike Sport Research Lab. "Our goal was simple: create a shoe that helps athletes feel more confident and capable deep into the race. That's what Alphafly 4 was built to do." Alphafly 4 carries speed further. There comes a point in every marathon when maintaining speed becomes harder than finding it. Alphafly 4 was rebuilt for that moment. * A new Atomknit upper offers a more precise fit with less distraction, helping runners feel comfortable, secure and focused over distance. A soft, breathable and fully seamless construction features zoned midfoot cables, an integrated heel unit and a molded sock liner for added security in every stride. * New ZoomX LT foam is up to 17 percent lighter than standard ZoomX foam; offers 8 percent more energy return; and delivers a softer sensation, supreme cushioning and added bounce. The new foam combines with ZoomX and is layered above and below the Flyplate to create a complete cushioning system designed specifically for the demands of long-distance racing. * A carbon-fiber Flyplate brings together stability and propulsion while retaining Alphafly's signature propulsive scoop, working with the surrounding cushioning to create a smooth rolling sensation that supports forward momentum and a consistent cadence. * Dual forefoot Air Zoom units are tuned to quietly work together with the foam and Flyplate to deliver responsive race-day propulsion. * A lightweight Fast Shot outsole ensures optimal traction and grip, helping runners stay connected to the road with every stride. In all, Alphafly 4 is built for long-distance racing and personal-best pursuits, helping runners stay connected to their race deeper into the marathon. "Nike Alphafly 4 gave me confidence from the start line to the finish," says Nike athlete Addisu Gobena of his recent winning marathon in Sydney. "When the race became difficult, I trusted the work I had done and trusted the shoe beneath me. As athletes, we are always chasing what comes next, and I believe Alphafly 4 shows how much opportunity exists to push marathon performance forward." Built for marathon speed. Athlete feedback collected across multiple generations of Alphafly helped guide the shoe's development. Learnings from Nike's Project Dreamweaver, extensive women's trials, and insights from distance runners of all abilities and intensities informed improvements to stability, smoothness, comfort and confidence over distance. That process reflects a system that connects athlete insight, Nike Sport Research Lab testing and product innovation. Athletes help identify the problems worth solving. Scientific research helps uncover new opportunities. Designers and engineers bring those learnings together in innovations built around how runners actually move and perform. The results speak for themselves: * Eliud Kipchoge's sub-2-hour marathon * The late Kelvin Kiptum's marathon world record * Sifan Hassan claiming gold in the women's marathon in Paris * Conner Mantz's American marathon record * Jacob Kiplimo's half-marathon world record * Gobena's marathon course record in Sydney Records prove what is possible. Confidence is what runners take with them to the start line. Alphafly 4 is built to help runners stay stronger a little longer, hold on a little deeper into the race, and discover what's possible over 26.2 miles. "I've run in just about every race day shoe out there, and Alphafly 4 is my No. 1 pick," says Meaghan Murray, a member of the Alphafly 4 prototype testing cohort. "It has the most propulsive yet comfortable and cushioned ride I've experienced in a race shoe. It is softer and bouncier than before, and the upper is comfortable and accommodating." Nike Racing footwear lineup. Alphafly 4 is part of Nike's Racing footwear lineup, an innovative collection built around different runners, distances and goals - whether they're toeing their first starting line, seeking a faster 10K, chasing a personal best in the marathon, or looking to shave a second off a historic benchmark. Each shoe has a job, and each one is tuned as a system: Air to return energy, foam to manage cushioning and weight, a plate to shape the transition, and an upper to contain the foot. Nike built each silhouette to serve a specific runner, distance and goal. Stay tuned for more Nike Racing footwear designed for every race-day pursuit - coming to podiums around the world. Availability. The Nike Alphafly 4 will be available for an early, limited release September 17 at nike.com, with broader availability October 29 at nike.com and select retail locations.

Nike and Keely Hodgkinson unveil a futuristic one-of-one speed suit. Merging couture and performance technology for a track and field superstar. Nike is pushing the boundaries of track and field alongside middle-distance superstar Keely Hodgkinson. The sportswear giant has officially revealed a custom, one-of-one speed suit tailored specifically to power the 800-meter champion's unyielding need for speed. The design itself is a technological masterpiece. Merging couture with cutting-edge sport science, the open-back, full-length hooded suit is engineered to minimize drag and combat heat. Handcrafted primarily at the LeBron James Innovation Center, the suit features a second-skin fit with no closures, a 4D mobility gusset and large underarm cutouts for thermoregulation. To maximize performance, Nike integrated computation-tuned 3D-printed vortex generators that direct airflow around the body, actively cutting down air resistance. Visually stunning with a sleek black base, the speed suit balances performance with personal style, equipped with a ponytail opening and styled with Nike Vision Airelon Force E sunglasses. Alongside the suit, Nike introduced the Victory Elite middle-distance track spike - an upgraded, lighter iteration of Hodgkinson's favorite Victory 2, accented with fierce gold details. "Keely's an athlete who's unafraid to take risks; she's bold and vivacious," said Dan Farron, VP of Innovation Apparel Product Design, in a press release. "This speed suit is a reflection of who she is. It's sport and style in equal measure." The speed suit comes shortly after Hodgkinson's first signature running collection with Nike, solidifying her place as one of the brand's foremost athletes and a star on the track in her own right.