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PUMA WELCOMES ATHLETES TO BUDAPEST AHEAD OF WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
August 21, 2023PUMA WELCOMES ATHLETES TO BUDAPEST AHEAD OF WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
August 21, 2023Last Friday, we kicked off our celebrations for the World Athletics Championships in style, welcoming athletes and media from around the world to the official opening of the PUMA House.
Our Maria Valdes, Chief Product Officer and Erin Longin, General Manager, Run/Train took to the stage alongside several PUMA ambassadors, and icons of track and field including Karsten Warholm, Marcell Jacobs, Julien Alfred, Mutaz Barshim and Pia Skrzyszowska to kick off this years major track and field event.
“2023 is a great year for us - it’s our 75th year anniversary – and we truly believe that track and field is the root of many sports. There are so many memorable moments we can look back on where track and field really represented our brand. From Tommie Smith back in 1968 to the numerous world records of Bolt just a couple of years ago. We hope to have more moments like this that can help shape us for years to come – starting here in Budapest.”
In a Q&A session, the athletes gave insight on their preparations and expectations for the competition and shared their feelings about PUMA and their equipment.
“Confidence is something you build. Obviously, it’s not a given. If it is, it’s not real. We prepare very well in training, and I think that is the secret to my confidence. My coach takes good care of me and and the way we work, we always have control. And then of course when you go to a World Championship, you never know what you can pull out of the hat.”
Karsten Warholm, PUMA athlete, 400m Hurdles
“Maybe I had too many injuries in the last two years… I really tried to overcome all of those problems. I’m the one who wants to be in a good shape, perfectly fit, and ready to face this very important challenge at the World Championships in Budapest.“
Marcell Jacobs, PUMA athlete, 100m
“It’s been fantastic to be part of the Puma family. Puma is a great brand who have paved the way for many of my idols and it feels great. And I really love the spikes as well!“
Julien Alfred, PUMA athlete, 100m
🎬 Check out the Highlights of the event in the video below!
PUMA x Team Jamaica 🇯🇲
Guests were also given the opportunity to hear from Jamaican athletes Shericka Jackson, Rasheed Broadbell, Hansle Parchment, and rising star Jaydon Hibbert about their experiences, expectations and goals for the upcoming days.
“I’ve been working hard and there is no pressure for me. I’m in good shape and I’m going to show up, stay in my lane and focus on me.“
Shericka Jackson, PUMA athlete, 200m
“It’s really not a bad feeling [to not be the favourite], but a good thing, because the attention is not on me, so it’s not really much pressure… But whoever the eyes is on, they have to ensure that they deliver. So for me, it’s just keeping in my lane, stay focused and deliver.“
Rasheed Broadbell, PUMA athlete, 110m Hurdles
“Usually everybody is going to the US for college, but at the last minute we changed our minds to go to the University of the West Indies. I think that was a very good decision for me, otherwise I would have been running every weekend in the US. I’m very happy that I made that decision to stay in Jamaica.”
Hansle Parchment, PUMA athlete, 110m Hurdles
The World Athletics Championship Budapest 2023 started on August 19 and will continue until August 27 with over 175 PUMA athletes competing for the medals!
#FOREVER.FASTER. in Budapest!
