PUMA's investment in Track & Field in Jamaica is far and wide, with Usain Bolt being undeniably one of the brand's greatest ambassadors. Since 2002, PUMA has sponsored the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), which is the governing body for Track and Field in Jamaica, and the Jamaica Olympic Association. In addition to this, PUMA helps to foster young talent through sponsorship of seven high school track and field programs.
This partnership also drives the annual ISSA Boys & Girls Track and Field Championships, dubbed “The Champs” which is lauded as the most popular sporting event in Jamaica and the place where many of the world-renowned sprinters got their start. PUMA is a partner of pre-Champs meets including the Gibson Relays and various Invitationals. Outside of the high school sphere, PUMA is the main partner of the Reggae Marathon, which takes place each December in Jamaica and draws distance runners from all over the world.
The world will be watching Usain Bolt in London 2012 to see if he will break his own record in the 100m and 200m relays, clad in Cedella Marley's unique designs. At 25, Bolt has emerged as one of the world's most talented Track and Field athletes in the modern era, winning three gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and smashing two world records in the 100m (9:58) and 200m (19:19) at the World Championships in Berlin in 2009. PUMA, like many Bolt enthusiasts, believes the best is yet to come.