Bolt renews sponsorship deal with Puma

World and Olympic champions signs new contract that will take him to Rio and beyond

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates winning the men’s 200m race during the Weltklasse Diamond League meeting in Zurich. Photograph:   Michael Buholzer/Reuters
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates winning the men’s 200m race during the Weltklasse Diamond League meeting in Zurich. Photograph: Michael Buholzer/Reuters

Usain Bolt has renewed his long-standing sponsorship deal with Puma, the sportswear company has announced.

The world's fastest man's new contract will tie him to Puma "through and beyond the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio".

The exact value of the deal has not been disclosed, but will reflect his status as one of the world’s most recognisable sports stars. The Jamaican has been supported by Puma since 2003.

He said in a statement: “Puma has been with me since the very beginning. They recognised my talent at an early age and have supported me throughout, especially in the early years when I had some difficult times due to injuries.

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"Their work and commitment to Jamaica is also very important to me. I have always been very happy to be a part of the Puma family, I am proud to represent them and delighted to continue with them for the years ahead."

Puma chief executive Bjoern Gulden said: "Usain Bolt has been a partner of Puma since he was 16-years-old. With our support, he grew from a young athlete with huge potential to a world and Olympic champion, claiming the title of the world's fastest man.

“We are very proud to extend our sponsorship contract with him because Usain is the perfect ambassador of the Puma brand. He will play a crucial role in our future product concepts as well as brand communications leading towards the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 and beyond.”

The 27-year-old, the world record holder and double Olympic champion over 100 and 200 metres, won the world titles over both distances in Moscow this summer, adding a third gold medal in the 4x100m relay.

He revealed last week he was reconsidering his plans to retire after the 2016 Games, perhaps extending his career by one more year to take in the 2017 World Championships in London.

He also said he was keen to compete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the 200m.