Two More Elite Sprinters Accuse Puma of Causing Injuries With Its Shoes

June 9, 2026

A month after world champion sprinter Abby Steiner sued Puma and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, alleging Puma’s shoes caused career-ending injuries, two more elite sprinters have made similar allegations.

U.S. world champion Champion Allison and Jamaican Olympian Damion Thomas Jr. both filed lawsuits Tuesday, claiming that Puma’s products gave them permanent foot injuries that required surgery. Like Steiner, Thomas Jr. claims he is unable to run at a professional and Olympic level, while Champion says he can’t run at the same level that he did before getting hurt.

Peter Flowers, the attorney who represents Steiner, Allison, and Thomas Jr. told Front Office Sports that an influx of runners and coaches who wore Puma products contacted his firm about similar foot injuries after Steiner filed her lawsuit. The two male sprinters were among them. FRONT OFFICE SPORTS