What if Usain Bolt had today’s tech on his feet back in 2009? That’s the question PUMA posed as it kicked off its “Future of Fast” campaign ahead of the World Athletics Championships (WAC) 2025 in Tokyo — and the answers turned more than a few heads.
At PUMA House Tokyo, the global sports brand brought together legends and rising stars — including Bolt himself — for a press panel that blended nostalgia, tech talk and plenty of motivation for the next generation of athletes.
All In The Stride
According to a new study by running researcher Wouter Hoogkamer, Bolt could’ve shaved 0.16 seconds off his world record 100m time if he’d worn PUMA’s new Forte NITRO spikes. That would mean a jaw-dropping 9.42 seconds. “If I knew spikes were going to get this good, maybe I’d have stuck around a bit longer!” Bolt joked.
Alongside Bolt were Olympic champ Julien Alfred, pole vault phenom Mondo Duplantis, and German marathon record holder Amanal Petros — all of whom shared how their feedback directly influences PUMA’s performance gear. From explosive starts to record-breaking leaps and long-distance dominance, these athletes are actively shaping the brand’s next-gen footwear.
Speed Rules
Duplantis, who holds the pole vault world record at 6.29m, highlighted how speed remains his biggest edge: “The tech in our spikes has come so far. I feel faster than ever on the runway.”
Alfred, now the 100m Olympic champion, praised PUMA’s focus on athlete comfort — both physical and mental. “They really listen. That makes all the difference on race day.”
Petros, who’ll be racing in the WAC marathon on Monday, gave a nod to his own work on the Fast-R3 shoes: “They spring you high, push you forward — and there’s even lighter ones coming soon!”
This Saturday, fans can step into the future themselves. The NITRO Lab will open its doors in Minamiaoyama, offering a peek into PUMA’s innovation engine — from prototype spikes to a working running-economy lab.
With over 140 PUMA athletes set to compete in Tokyo, including Karsten Warholm and Yaroslava Mahuchikh, WAC 2025 is set for speed, records, and maybe even a few surprises.
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