Justin Gallegos has made Nike history.
The sportswear giant officially signed the runner, a student at the University of Oregon, as its first-ever professional athlete with cerebral palsy.
The announcement — which was made on Oct. 6 in honor of World Cerebral Palsy Day — came via a heartwarming video shared by film company Elevation Om.
In the film, Gallegos appears to be under the impression that a production crew is filming his cross country race. Upon reaching the finish line, it is revealed that the Swoosh’s Insights director, John Douglass, is carrying a folder holding the contract for the athlete to sign. Gallegos breaks down in tears.
In an Instagram post, the runner expressed his excitement at the news: “Beyond blessed to officially represent the swoosh! Still can’t believe I made Nike history! Very excited! Big things are yet to come!”
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Gallegos was born with cerebral palsy, a congenital disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. Despite this, he remains a member of the school’s track club and completed the Eugene Half Marathon in Oregon over the summer with the help of Nike’s Air Zoom Pegasus 35 FlyEase sneaker.
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