Usain Bolt extends endorsement deal with Puma beyond Rio 2016 Olympics

Usain Bolt. PHOTO/File

Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt has renewed his sponsorship contract with German sportswear maker Puma “through and beyond the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio,” Puma said Tuesday.

The six-time Olympic champion, aged 27, has been training and competing in Puma since 2003.

“We are very proud to extend our sponsorship contract with him because Usain is the perfect ambassador of the Puma brand,” said chief executive Bjoern Gulden.

“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 financial terms of the contract were not disclosed but according to Forbes magazine the deal will earn Bolt some US$9 million per year.

Last week, Bolt revealed that he may not retire in 2016 after the Rio Olympic games as expected.

“I think that my sponsors and everybody wants me to continue so I’ve really sat and thought about it and maybe I will go on for one more year, and just make everybody happy,” he told reporters.

“My fans also are saying I should go on, so I think I might do another year.”

Copyright 2013 AFP