| A controversial running shoe that features actual | | | | the shoes in the 2007 Boston Marathon. Advertising |
| springs built into the base of the shoe, a design | | | | for the shoes acknowledges that they have been |
| intended to reduce impact force on a runner's body, | | | | effectively "banned in Boston." |
| will be worn not just in competition at the Olympics | | | | But the 40-year-old N'Tyamba, who will this year |
| this year but--if a direct-marketing company | | | | serve as Angola's flag bearer for the Opening |
| headquartered near Richmond, VA, has anything to | | | | Ceremonies in Beijing, says he is not too worried |
| say about it--also on the treadmills and walking paths | | | | about wearing a shoe not cleared by the IAAF. |
| favored by the nation's Baby Boomers. | | | | "If the shoe is banned," N'Tyamba said in a July press |
| Colonial Heights, VA (PRWEB) August 4, 2008 -- A | | | | release from Spira Footwear, "why do so many |
| controversial running shoe that features actual springs | | | | athletes win big marathons wearing them? I hope to |
| built into the base of the shoe, a design intended to | | | | do the same in Beijing." |
| reduce impact force on a runner's body, will be worn | | | | Why indeed? Chris Fawcett, COO of firstSTREET, |
| not just in competition at the Olympics this year | | | | says that Spira's WaveSpring shoes have been |
| but--if a direct-marketing company headquartered | | | | among the best-selling of all firstSTREETproducts |
| near Richmond, VA, has anything to say about | | | | since they were introduced online and in the |
| it--also on the treadmills and walking paths favored | | | | firstSTREET catalog in February. |
| by the nation's Baby Boomers.firstSTREET, an online | | | | "The metal springs in these shoes offer the same |
| and catalog marketer that spotlights products | | | | kinds of advantages to everyone from the |
| designed for active seniors, recently noted that one | | | | professional runner to the Average Joe with |
| of their best-selling items, spring-powered Spira shoes | | | | knee or hip problems to folks who just stand on |
| with their patented and much-discussed WaveSpring | | | | their feet a lot. The cushioning in these shoes is |
| technology, would be headed toward the 2008 | | | | unsurpassed, which should add to reducing stress and |
| Olympic Games in Beijing. | | | | fatigue, highly important benefits to our active Baby |
| Olympic marathoner João N'Tyamba, from Angola, | | | | Boomer demographic." |
| has announced that he will be wearing Spira shoes | | | | Spira literature defines the shoes as energy efficient, |
| for his sixth Olympics appearance in track | | | | designed to store energy when you step and release |
| competition, despite the fact that the shoes have | | | | it when you push off, to give each step taken a little |
| not been approved by the IAAF. | | | | extra boost. Spira says that the return of energy |
| The controversy over Spira footwear began with | | | | allows users to walk, run or stand with less strain |
| widespread media speculation about the shoe's | | | | on the body while reducing impact on the joints--"all |
| propulsive energy return, seen as a possible unfair | | | | major concerns," says Fawcett," for a 40-year-old |
| advantage afforded two Kenyan runners who wore | | | | marathoner or a 60-year-old casual walker. |