Special shoes given to newborns in honor of Biles, Griner's gold medals
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Some of Houston's most famous athletes, gymnast Simone Biles, and basketball player, Brittney Griner took home gold at the Rio Olympics and their medals are allowing some newborns in their hometown to score a very special first pair of shoes.
Nike sent special infant shoes to some babies born over the weekend at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center in honor of Brittney Griner's gold medal in the Women's Basketball Tournament. Babies born at Memorial Hermann's Woodlands Hospital also received the special sneakers in honor of Simone Biles' gold medals. Biles is from Spring.
The bright green Nike kicks - with an orange swoosh - come in a keepsake box with a place for parents to record their baby's milestones and includes an inspirational note.
The note attached to the sneakers honoring Biles reads:
It all starts now. 19 years ago, it started in Spring for a little champ just like you. And in Rio Simone Biles conquered the world. Maybe, someday, that could be you. Or maybe you'll use to do something else. There really are no limits to your potential. Whatever you decide, get up. Get out. And get started. Life moves fast. And in these, it will move a little faster.
"Every baby has the unlimited potential to be the best athlete they can be or even the best athlete in the world," said Nike spokesperson, Charlie Brooks in a statement. "We're hoping this can be a 'surprise and delight' moment for new families and encourage babies to find their own future potential."
A total of 540 baby shoes were delivered to nine Nike athlete hometowns. The deliveries celebrated the gold medal victories of basketball players Kevin Durant, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, Elena Delle Donne, Brittney Griner, Diana Turasi and gymnast Simone Biles. Galen Rupp took home bronze for the men's marathon, but to honor the fellow University of Oregon graduate, baby shoes were delivered to Emanuel Hospital in Portland - the same hospital where his mom works.
