'Here I Am' at Niketown

To celebrate the outstanding female achievement in sport, the ground floor of Niketown in London has been changed around into an exhibition space. Nikewomen will showcase artwork as part of Nike’s ‘Here I Am’ campaign to inspire women to enjoy sport.  The exhibition is inspired by the launch of Nikewomen’s ‘Here I Am’ Athlete Book, which hero’s 22 young international female athletes. Every chapter is a 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. It takes visitors through a sportswoman’s life, emphasising her ambitions that humanises Nike’s sports stars tennis player 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 run until 30th September 2008, at the same time when some of the female athletes who competed at the Beijing Olympics will return to the UK. The Opening night will witness guest appearances from UK athletes Kelly Sotherton, Nicola Sanders, Steph Twell, Lianne Sanderson and Emma Byrne who 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 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.

Image: Nike