EUGENE, Ore. — Justin Gallegos, a junior at the University of Oregon, has been given a pro contract with Nike, making him the first athlete with cerebral palsy to sign with the company.
As cameras rolled, Nike UX Insights director John Truax greeted Gallegos after a recent race to break the news. The official video release of the announcement was last Saturday, Oct. 6, on cerebral palsy awareness day.
Last April, Gallegos pulled off a feat many thought was impossible. He completed the Eugene Half Marathon, just missing his goal of finishing in under two hours by three minutes.
Nike provided him with a prototype shoe designed for runners with disabilities. Gallegos started running cross country in high school and is on the University of Oregon's club track and field team.