Apple today launched 22 new limited-edition Sport Bands for Apple Watch featuring flags from 22 nations. Each of the bands features a matching downloadable Stripes watch face by showcasing color combinations that customers around the world can use to personalize their Apple Watch and willingly show their country support.
The soft, breathable, and lightweight International Collection Sport Loop bands are available representing the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the US.
In the below photo, former six-time Olympian swimming gold medalist, avid CrossFitter Amy Van Dyken wearing the new US International Collection Sport Loop. “I’m very Type A and stubborn,” Van Dyken said, “and I think a lot of athletes in the events I swam all have a little bit of that. Every athlete at the top of their game obviously has talent, but they also have an indescribable drive and that same competitive spirit.”
An early Apple Watch user (she’s used every model including the original that launched in 2015), Van Dyken admits her competitive nature still comes into play today with family.
“I share activity with my sister and my niece,” Van Dyken said. “I love how it helps me stay connected to my family — we enjoy encouraging one another.”
“I always thought I was an active individual,” she continued. “But being paralyzed, I don’t realize how much I’m not in my chair and moving around. So I stay active with the Wheelchair Walk Pace and Wheelchair Run Pace workouts, which are just so unique for people in my community. It’s nice to see how far I push and how many pushes I do in a day. Nondisabled people get to know how many steps they take, so it’s nice for us to know that as well.”
Van Dyken’s speeches start from childhood, spring forward to the Olympics, and then the ATV accident in 2014. She is as comfortable putting herself out there for the world to see, as she is reminding the world that not one thing defines a person.
“Life isn’t just one moment,” Van Dyken said. “It’s a whole bunch of things, and it all is woven together. So I want people to get to know the beginning, so that when I tell them the end, it has a little bit more impact and paints a fuller picture of my life before, during, and after the Games, and what’s possible.”
The new Sport Loop bands are available at Apple in 40mm and 44mm sizes for $49 in the US, band packaging includes App Clip functionality to easily download the matching country’s Stripes Apple Watch face. Additionally, customers can download any of the 22 watch faces from apple.com and also use Face Sharing to share with other Apple Watch users.
