As the countdown begins for Paris Olympics 2024, PUMA India, in its bid to celebrate the Indian Olympians has teamed up with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as their official footwear partner.
With this partnership in place, the Indian Olympic contingent will be equipped with PUMA’s sleek travel shoes, backpacks and yoga mats. Additionally, javelin champ Kishore Jena, equestrian Anush Agarwalla and sharpshooter Sift Kaur Samra will sport PUMA gear on their quest for gold in Paris.
That being said, with 45 out of the 100+ Indian athletes across sporting disciplines comprising the PUMA contingent at the Paris Olympics, this is the largest squad by a brand in the country this year.
Moreover, it is also essential to note that the brand is not just supporting athletes behind the scenes, but has also come up with a campaign film titled- ‘See the Game Like We Do’, featuring an electrifying showcase of athleticism and agility which also transforms the monumental achievements of the three Indian Olympians- PV Sindhu, Kishore Jena and PR Sreejesh, into urban landmarks across Mumbai today and connects the extraordinary with the everyday.
By linking these Olympians’ record-breaking performances to common urban experiences, PUMA’s campaign vividly demonstrates the world-class caliber of Indian athletes and cements their achievements in the daily landscape whilst putting the spotlight on the remarkable feats and extraordinary capabilities of these athletes.
Commenting on the development, Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director, PUMA India, shared, “PUMA is dedicated to empowering athletes to surpass their limits and achieve their full potential. Through our partnership with the Indian Olympic Association, we will provide athletes with best in-class footwear and sports accessories, aiming to support their pursuit of excellence at the Paris Olympics. Additionally, we aim to bring to the fore and recognize the milestones achieved by athletes of our country through this campaign. I hope our efforts to celebrate our champions will not only inspire others to give their best but also encourage many young and aspiring athletes to take up Olympic sports in India.”
To this, PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association and renowned former track-and-field athlete, added, “Our partnership with PUMA is pivotal in our mission to elevate the capabilities of our athletes. Equipped with PUMA’s top-quality shoes and accessories, our athletes will be primed to compete at the highest level. The IOA is deeply committed to enhancing India’s medal prospects at the Paris Olympics, and such collaborations are a crucial step towards achieving that goal.”
Furthermore, Kishore Jena, javelin champ and PUMA ambassador, also mentioned, “Support from the fans always plays a critical role for athletes in big tournaments, and it’s heartening to see a global brand like PUMA come forward with this amazing campaign to unite the whole nation, encouraging Indian athletes as we chase Olympic glory. I’m confident that high-quality footwear and sports accessories will help us to produce our best show in Paris, leaving no stone unturned.”
