Source of image: here

Perhaps the biggest day in Chinese history has finally arrived. 8/8/08 Beijing Olympics. Here it is; there’s no denying it. To celebrate the most anticipated event of the year, Nike will release a special pack for the players who are participating in Team USA for the Olympics, the United We Rise Pack – 2008 Beijing Olympics. The shoes that will be in the pack include the Nike Zoom Soldier 2, the Nike Air Force 25 Low, Converse Wade Team Mid and the Nike Hyperdunk. All of the shoes feature a white upper with blue and red accents, true to the colors of the United States. The tattoo-style laser etchings in the shoes take inspiration from anything ranging from American culture, basketball, and the characteristics that make people rise above to the top. The tongue of every shoe in the pack has the United We Rise logo. The United We Rise Hyperdunks have already released today for $150. Don’t miss the other pairs. The Soldier 2s will retail for $150 and the AF25 for $100.

I wrote several months ago about a pair of Nike Air Force Ones that honored front-running Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. The last few months have changed Senator Obama from the Democratic front runner into the presumptive nominee. TTK has come out with a pair of Nike Dunks that feature images of Barack Obama in various emotional states ahead of the Democratic National Convention.

The left shoe features a portrait of Senator Obama in a pensive state as if he were listening to a Senate colleague or a question during a town hall meeting. Obama’s jovial side is shown in the image placed on the right shoe. TTK added the Obama campaign’s red/white/blue symbol just off the outer edge of each toe box.

I am a huge fan of the blue/black background used by TTK to show the momentum toward an Obama presidency. Readers can get in touch with TTK about the Obama Dunks by heading to the designer’s website linked here.

Puma continues to dazzle and amaze its fans in 2008 with a duo of First Round Skates that will fly off shelves soon. These high-top skate shoes feature exaggerated padding on the heel for ankle support as well as a classic skateboarder look. The premium suede used throughout the shoe is soft to the touch and looks great on the board and on the streets. A puffy tongue prevent rubbing on the top part of the wearer’s foot and brings back elements of the sneaker world from the 1980s.

There are two colorways offered in this version of the Puma First Round Skate. I posted the black/red colorway first due to its sleek look and simplicity. The second colorway is blue and white which would be a fantastic consolation prize if the first shoe is not available. These skate shoes continue Puma’s efforts in 2008 to relive the brand’s past while adding new twists to classic looks.