By Manjiri Joshi,News18

Copyright news18

The capital woke up to a burst of speed, colour, and culture as Old Delhi transformed into a playground for the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt. Against the backdrop of Khari Baoli, the largest spice market in Asia, history met sporting spectacle in a way India has never witnessed before.
For the first time ever, the heritage terrace of Delhi’s Khari Baoli transformed into a sprint track. Usain Bolt, joined by India’s Olympic heroes such as PV Sindhu, PR Sreejesh, and Animesh Kujur, turned the centuries-old rooftop, once a stage for spice trading, kite flying, and festivals, into a relay of champions. With the Red Fort looming in the distance and spices drying under the morning sun, the race stitched together culture and competition in a way never seen before.
Commenting on the occasion, legendary athlete and PUMA brand ambassador, Usain Bolt said, “Running through the spice-scented rooftops of Old Delhi was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. To share the baton with India’s finest Olympians and fellow PUMAs like PV Sindhu, PR Sreejesh, and Animesh Kujur in such a historic setting was pure energy. This is what sport is all about, breaking boundaries, creating culture, and having fun along the way.”
Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director, PUMA India, said, “At PUMA, everything begins with sport. Bringing Usain Bolt to India was about creating moments that fans would never imagine or forget, like turning the rooftop of Delhi’s Khari Baoli into a relay track. For us, it’s not just about showcasing speed, it’s about reimagining how sport can connect with culture in the most unexpected ways.
Commenting on this once in a lifetime activity, badminton icon and PUMA athlete, PV Sindhu said, “It was inspiring to run shoulder to shoulder with Usain Bolt at Khari Baoli in the heart of Old Delhi. As an athlete, being part of such a once-in-a-lifetime relay with a global legend felt surreal, it’s the kind of moment that reminds me why I fell in love with sport in the first place. Thanks to PUMA, we could be part of a relay that beautifully blended India’s heritage with sporting greatness.”
PR Sreejesh, two-time Olympian & hockey player, added, “Being part of this relay with the legendary Usain Bolt on the rooftop of Khari Bouli was memorable. I’m grateful to PUMA India for making this iconic sporting moment possible.”
Reacting on doing this activity with his idol, India’s fastest man Animesh Kujur, who was recently on boarded as one of PUMA’s brand ambassador, said, “As a child who grew up idolising Usain Bolt, to actually receive the baton from him in this relay is a dream come true. What made it even more special is that I got an opportunity to be part of a relay team with Olympic legends such as PV Sindhu & PR Sreejesh who have brought so much glory to India. Thanks to PUMA, I had the chance to share the track with my heroes and live out a lifelong dream. I am very happy to partner with PUMA, who have always been synonymous with the best, fastest and greatest athletes and sprinters over the years. This will motivate me even more to keep pushing my limits and breaking more barriers.”
With Delhi as the canvas, everyday backdrops turned into arenas of performance, energy, and fun. From spice-scented alleys to iconic monuments, Khari Baoli came alive as sport collided with culture. The takeover wasn’t just an activation, it was PUMA’s way of showing that sport belongs everywhere, bringing fans closer to the action in ways that felt fresh, unexpected, and unforgettable.
PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For 76 years, PUMA has relentlessly pushed sport and culture forward by creating fast products for the world’s fastest athletes. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Basketball, Golf, and Motorsports. It collaborates with renowned designers and brands to bring sport influences into street culture and fashion. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs about 20,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany.