The Diadora Mythos Propulsion Honours a Marathon Legend
Italian heritage company have released a new shoe named the Mythos Propulsion which pays tribute to champion countryman runner, Gelindo Bordin.
Bordin’s career may have been relatively short, but his highlight reel is definitely enviable. He became the first Italian to win gold in the marathon at Seoul 1988, then crossed the line first at the Boston Marathon in 1990 – between a couple of European championships too.
While the majority of his greatest achievements were in the 1980s, the commemorative Mythos Propulsion reflects more modern design cues. There are a lot of 2000s-inspired high-tech aesthetics dispersed among the mesh and metallic synthetic upper. The wavy overlays are reminiscent of flames and tail into textured gold sections, representing Bordin’s victories. As does the laurel wreath graphic on the tongues, which surround an Italian flag that nods to the runner’s and Diadora’s shared home.
On the tech side, the foam midsole is heavily sculpted with a scooped arch section revealing a minimalist stability insert. At the heel, unique cut-outs core out excess foam and are filled instead with a plastic structure that acts as a propulsion mechanism.
Had these shoes existed during Gordin’s career, who knows what else he could have achieved? The Mythos Propulsion is available now directly from Diadora.