Nike

In Greek mythology, the goddess of victory. She is represented with wings, as in the statue of the Winged Victory of Samothrace in the Louvre, Paris. One of the most beautiful architectural monuments of Athens was the temple of Nike Apteros.

Nike was the daughter of the Titan Pallas by Styx, river of the underworld, and sister of Zelos (Rivalry), Kratos (Strength), and Bia (Force).

She is first mentioned by Hesiod in the 8th century BC as a symbol of the decisive victory of the gods over the Titans. In the lyric poetry of Pindar and Bacchylides in the 5th century BC, she stood for victory in athletic contests. On late archaic vases she is depicted crowning women of overwhelming beauty and craftsmen of exemplary skill, and is frequently shown as a winged figure flying over a victorious chariot.

Nike

US sports goods manufacturer formed by track athlete Phil Knight` and his coach Bill Bowerman in 1962 as Blue Ribbon Sports, a sports shoe retailer. In 1972, the company began to design and manufacture its own shoes, changed its name to Nike, and introduced the ‘tick’ logo, depicting the wing of the Greek goddess, Nike. Now the world's biggest sports goods supplier, Nike sponsors many high-profile sports teams and individuals. In addition to manufacturing sportswear and equipment, the company operates shoe and sportswear retail stores under the name Niketown. Nike employs over 30,000 people and in 2008 reported revenues of $18.6 billion.