To celebrate the Fourth of July, and with the United States playing such a major role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we decided to revisit some of the best Olympic-themed Air Jordans ever released.
When Olympic Air Jordans come up, the Air Jordan 6 and Air Jordan 7 are usually the first two models people mention. Most rankings will have them sitting near the top, and for good reason. Still, Jordan Brand has produced several other Olympic colorways over the years that do not always receive the same attention.
Below is our list of the 10 Best Olympic Air Jordans. See which pairs you remember, which ones may have slipped your mind, and whether there is another model or colorway that deserved a spot.
Everyone at Sneaker Bar Detroit hopes you have a great Fourth of July weekend, whether you are spending it with family, friends, a significant other, or celebrating Independence Day in your own way.
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10. Air Jordan Six Rings “Olympic”
The Air Jordan Six Rings “Olympic” arrived in September 2008 as part of the footwear surrounding the Beijing Summer Olympics. Its mostly white and navy color scheme gave the hybrid model a straightforward Team USA-inspired look.
9. Air Jordan 1 Phat “Olympic”
Released in July 2012 during the London Summer Olympics, the Air Jordan 1 Phat “Olympic” featured a patriotic Obsidian, Gym Red, White, and Metallic Gold color combination.
8. Air Jordan 1 “Olympic”
The Air Jordan 1 “Olympic” released after the 2008 Beijing Games and celebrated Team USA’s gold-medal finish. Its red, white, blue, and gold palette made the Olympic connection easy to recognize.
7. Air Jordan 5 “Olympic Gold Medal”
Jordan Brand released the Air Jordan 5 “Olympic” in 2016 alongside the Rio Summer Olympics. The shoe became known as the “Gold Medal” colorway because of its reflective Metallic Gold tongue and championship-inspired details.
6. Air Jordan 6 “Beijing Olympic”
The Air Jordan 6 “Beijing Olympic,” also known as the “Olympic Flag,” was created to commemorate the 2008 Summer Games in China. Its colorful accents were inspired by the shades found across the Olympic rings.
5. Air Jordan 7 “Miro Olympic”
The Air Jordan 7 “Miro Olympic” takes inspiration from Dona i Ocell—also known as Woman and Bird—a Barcelona sculpture created by Spanish artist Joan Miró. Although the shoe released ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, its artwork and Barcelona connection looked back to the city’s 1992 Summer Games. The colorway later returned as a retro release in July 2026.
4. Air Jordan 2 “Olympic Melo” PE
Jordan Brand created the Air Jordan 2 “Olympic Melo” PE for Carmelo Anthony during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Anthony had just finished his rookie season with the Denver Nuggets and wore the model while representing Team USA, which earned a bronze medal.
3. Air Jordan 5 “Olympic USA”
Released in 2011, the Air Jordan 5 “Olympic USA” was part of Nike’s larger celebration of USA Basketball. The patriotic color scheme gave the model a direct connection to the national team.
2. Air Jordan 6 “Olympic”
The Air Jordan 6 “Olympic” was inspired by the uniforms worn by Team USA during the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. After several years away, the popular colorway made its most recent retro return during Summer 2024.
1. Air Jordan 7 “Olympic”
Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan 7 “Olympic” during the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, helping lead the legendary Dream Team to a gold medal. The shoe replaced his usual No. 23 branding with the Olympic jersey number “9” on the heel, giving it one of the strongest historical connections of any Olympic Air Jordan.
