This summer, as members of Team USA prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games, Nike has chosen to honor their dedication with a special tribute.
For those elite few who are chosen to represent their country, commitment is not just a choice.
It’s a way of life.
In honor of that commitment, Nike has created a gallery dedicated to Team USA, chronicling their journey from the Dream Team of 1992 to the present-day squad. The exhibit, entitled The Commitment, opened in New York City on July 10, giving the public a look at the history and future of USA Basketball.
Located in a refurbished branch of Harlem’s famous Training Camp sneaker boutique, the gallery space houses the legendary artifacts and apparel behind each Olympic team. On one wall, photos of the 1936 players. On another, the initial letter sent by Coach K to each member of the current team. And in the center, the kicks worn by Jordan and Barkley on the court in ’92. Artists’ tributes can be found throughout, paying homage to the greatest teams and players in Team USA history.
The gallery also chronicles today’s U.S. Olympic basketball movement, documenting past hardships and detailing the challenges ahead. Watching over the exhibit are two larger-than-life portraits, one of Kobe, the other of LeBron; a symbol of the two greatest players of a generation, overlooking the legacy they stand to inherit.
This summer, as Team USA takes the international stage, they’ll be joining the ranks of the most elite players the game has ever seen. They have the skills, the strength, and the dedication to win. But it’s only with true commitment to the game that they’ll bring home the gold.
The Commitment exhibition runs from July 10 through August 25. The exhibit is open free to the public Thursday through Sunday, from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm, and is located at 111 W. 116th St, between Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard (next door to Amy Ruth’s).
All Team USA basketball games will also be projected at the gallery throughout the Olympic Games.
