Hockey as a form of art Nike and Marcello Pipitone redefine the aesthetics
The final thrill of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics came from hockey, with Jack Hughes' goal securing a victory for the United States over Canada in the men's final. A decisive overtime goal that brought the U.S. team its first gold medal in 46 years. From the Miracle on Ice of 1980, when a team of American college and amateur players defeated the professional USSR squad at Lake Placid, to the Miracle of Santa Giulia, with spectators at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena barely holding back tears as the American team, following the medal ceremony, invited the two sons of Johnny Gaudreau—a U.S. player who tragically passed away in August 2024 along with his brother Matthew after being hit by an SUV—onto the ice.
Beyond the tournament's outcome, the final day of Milan Cortina once again celebrated the sheer aesthetic power of ice hockey. This triumph was highlighted by Nike in collaboration with Marcello Pipitone during a special workshop at the Nike Store Milan on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, held just hours before the Olympic final and inspired entirely by the world of hockey. Each participant was given the opportunity to sew prints designed by Pipitone onto their garments, transforming classic hockey jerseys into one-of-a-kind pieces created specifically to mark the occasion. The result was a series of personalised designs that blended authorship and individual expression. And the creative experience did not end there. In this setting, Pipitone applied the artistic principles of his work to create a banner that brought together all the iconic elements of the Olympic hockey tournament: from the Canadian maple leaf to the bold letters spelling USA, and the iconic yellow of the Swedish jersey blending seamlessly with the red details of the German jersey.
Pipitone’s creation goes beyond simple visual and narrative impact. On one hand, it demonstrates Nike’s meticulous care and dedication in designing the Olympic hockey jerseys, emphasizing every detail. On the other, it provides undeniable evidence of the growing and increasingly tangible appreciation for the sport of hockey. This project contributes to a larger vision, elevating one of the fastest and most physical sports into a true work of art.
