Marathon Footwear Revolution: The Shoes That Dominated the 2024 Paris Olympics 🏃‍♀️

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On February 15, 2025

Table of Contents

The 2024 Paris Olympics showcased not only the world’s best athletes but also the cutting-edge technology behind their performance. One of the most talked-about aspects of the marathon events was the footwear worn by the competitors. This article delves deep into the running shoes that dominated the Paris Olympics, offering a comprehensive analysis of the brands, models, and technologies that helped athletes achieve their best performances.

🥇 The Dominance of Nike: A Legacy Continues

Nike once again proved its dominance in the running shoe market, with a significant number of athletes opting for their footwear. However, the landscape has shifted since the Tokyo Olympics, with other brands making notable inroads.

🏅 Nike’s Market Share and Key Models

Total Athletes Wearing Nike: 48 (28% of all participants)
Men: 24
Women: 24

🚀 Vaporfly 3: A Shift in Preference

The Vaporfly 3, once a favorite among elite runners, saw a decline in popularity among male athletes. Only three male runners wore the Vaporfly 3, with two finishing in the lower ranks. This shift indicates that the Vaporfly 3 may no longer be the top choice for male elite runners.

However, the Vaporfly 3 remained popular among female athletes, with ten women choosing this model. Notably, Israeli and Bahraini runners wearing the Vaporfly 3 secured top-ten finishes, demonstrating its continued effectiveness for female runners.

🚀 Alphafly 3: The New Champion

The Alphafly 3 emerged as Nike’s standout model in Paris. Fifteen male and eight female athletes wore this shoe, making it the most popular choice among Nike’s lineup. The Alphafly 3’s success was highlighted by Sifan Hassan’s Olympic record-breaking performance and Japanese runner Yuka Suzuki’s sixth-place finish.

The Alphafly 3’s rise marks a significant shift from previous generations, where the Vaporfly series was more popular. This change suggests that the Alphafly 3 has been optimized to meet the demands of elite runners, offering a balance of speed, comfort, and stability.

🥈 Adidas: The Dark Horse of the Paris Olympics

Adidas made a strong statement at the Paris Olympics, particularly with its EVO 1 model. Despite being overtaken by Asics in terms of the number of athletes wearing their shoes, Adidas achieved remarkable success in terms of performance.

🏅 Adidas’ Performance Highlights

Total Athletes Wearing Adidas: 28 (16% of all participants)
Men: 14
Women: 14

🚀 EVO 1: The Star of the Show

The EVO 1 was the most popular Adidas model, worn by 21 athletes. Its performance was nothing short of spectacular:

Men’s Race: Tamirat Tola broke the Olympic record, and three of the top four male finishers wore the EVO 1.
Women’s Race: World record holder Assefa finished second, and Beriso secured fifth place.

The EVO 1’s success is a testament to Adidas’ commitment to innovation, with the shoe delivering consistent top-tier performances since its debut at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

🥉 Asics: The Rising Contender

Asics made significant strides at the Paris Olympics, surpassing Adidas in terms of the number of athletes wearing their shoes. The brand’s Metaspeed series, particularly the Paris edition, was a standout performer.

🏅 Asics’ Market Share and Key Models

Total Athletes Wearing Asics: 31 (18% of all participants)
Men: 17
Women: 14

🚀 Metaspeed Paris: A Game-Changer

The Metaspeed Paris series, including the Sky and Edge models, was widely adopted by elite runners. The key differences between the Sky and Edge models lie in their carbon plate placement and midsole thickness, catering to different running styles.

Sky Paris: Features a parallel carbon plate, ideal for stride runners.
Edge Paris: Boasts a curved carbon plate, better suited for cadence runners.

The Edge Paris, in particular, saw increased adoption among elite athletes, thanks to its enhanced midsole thickness and improved foam performance.

🏅 Puma: A Quiet Presence

Puma, while not as dominant as the top three brands, had a respectable presence at the Paris Olympics. The brand’s shoes were more popular among female athletes, with the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 being the preferred model.

🏅 Puma’s Performance Highlights

Total Athletes Wearing Puma: 18 (10% of all participants)
Men: 5
Women: 13

🚀 Deviate Nitro Elite 3: A Favorite Among Women

The Deviate Nitro Elite 3 was the most popular Puma model, chosen by six female athletes. Its lightweight design and responsive midsole make it an excellent choice for competitive runners.

🇨🇳 The Rise of Chinese Brands: A New Era

Chinese brands made a significant impact at the Paris Olympics, with 22 athletes wearing shoes from brands like Anta, Li-Ning, and 361 Degrees. This marks a turning point for Chinese running shoe manufacturers, who are increasingly competing on the global stage.

🏅 Key Performances by Chinese Brands

Anta: Legendary runner Kenenisa Bekele wore Anta’s C10 Pro, showcasing the brand’s growing influence.
Li-Ning: Six female athletes wore the FeiDian 4 Ultra, with the best performance coming from Tanzanian runner Shauri, who finished 40th.
361 Degrees: A Guatemalan runner chose the 361 Degrees light-weight carbon Miro Nude, highlighting the brand’s international appeal.

🏅 Other Notable Brands: New Balance, Hoka, and On

While Nike, Adidas, and Asics dominated the marathon events, other brands also made their mark.

🏅 New Balance: A Strong Contender

Total Athletes Wearing New Balance: 7
Key Model: FuelCell SC Elite V4, worn by Japanese runner Akasaki, who finished sixth.

🏅 Hoka: A Niche Presence

Total Athletes Wearing Hoka: 7
Key Model: Rocket X2, preferred by most Hoka athletes.

🏅 On: Innovation in Design

Total Athletes Wearing On: 8
Key Model: Cloudboom Strike, featuring a unique modular midsole design.

🏅 Conclusion: The Future of Marathon Running Shoes

The 2024 Paris Olympics highlighted the intense competition among running shoe manufacturers. Nike, Adidas, and Asics remain the dominant players, but brands like Puma and Chinese manufacturers are closing the gap. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovation in the years to come.