GM of Volley Australia John Szwede discusses what it takes to design an official Olympic ceremony shoe - and the positive benefits Volley gets from the partnership.
When designing the official footwear for the opening and closing ceremonies for the Tokyo 2020 Games we needed to consider the traditional colours of the iconic Australian wattle and its association with the Olympic uniform.
We took into account Sportscraft's designs for the Opening and Closing Ceremony Uniforms and made sure our shoes tied back in unity with them.
We also worked closely with our Olympic partners, Sportscraft and the Australian Olympic Committee to ensure the design process was seamless.
Supporting our athletes is a fitting partnership for the brand as Volley is considered #TheSoleOfAustralia and we know the great impact a partnership such as this can have.
The impact from our involvement in the London 2012 Olympic Games was a positive one.
It helped us position the brand in the top of people's minds and also helped Volley Australia begin its crucial repositioning, leading us to where we find ourselves today.
We are honoured to again be associated with Australian athletes of this calibre and cannot wait to inspire the wider community and support Australians on the world's greatest sporting stage.