Kicks: Women's Pumas California SE

The new Puma California SE is here. It comes with a beige upper, dark brown details and yellow, green, and red accents on the laces and the stitching. The colors also appear on the lining. The white sole is a nice balance to the more colorful upper.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

Kicks: New Puma Cell Mio

In his support, Puma is selling a limited number of the Usain Bolt-inspired kicks. He is the fastest man in the world and deserves his own sneaker. This sneaker is limited to 180 pairs worldwide.

Feature PUMA’s newest innovation, an updated version of its Cell cushioning/energy retention techonolgy, the PUMA Cell Mio Bolt comes in an all black-white stripe upper on top of a bright blue translucent Cell sole. Inscribed all over in blue & copper metallic ink are goal/postive statements Bolt etched to re-inforce his determination to win.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

Bolt Is Larger Than Life

Usain Bolt established the then 100-meter world record of 9.74 seconds on May 31, at New York's Icahn Stadium. He has never been faster in New York City. Now he's rolling on buses.

As a way of acknowledging the three-time world record holder, Puma has plastered huge pictures of Bolt's race on the side of city buses in New York City and Los Angeles--the nation's largest media markets.

On the dashing advertising, Bolt is flying towards history, dipping at the finish line of his world record 200-meter performance. Above the sprawling reproduction of the photograph taken during his Olympic performance are the words: "AND THEN. HE DJ'D THE AFTERPARTY."

How can you deny the urge to like this campaign? These six words embody the Jamaican culture of dance, celebration, and fun times.

The other ad reads: "Bolt: 100 Meters 9.69, Bus: Not So Much So."

PUMA's intent is to honor his performance and showcase the man who gave Puma an unexpected burst onto the international stage. Bolt is an easy sell because he comes off like the life of the party.

According to Prerace Jitters sources, up until now it has been conventional wisdom that traditionally Caribbean athletes do not sell in the U.S.

That may all be changing.

His shoes sales have been strong ever since Bolt was groovin' in lane 5, covering the 200-meters in 19.30. And British-based Virgin Media has approached him about pitching "Boltband," a super fast broadband internet service product.

Bolt and many on the Caribbean island of 2 million are hoping to have more to dance about in upcoming seasons.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

Usain Bolt Is Shooting For Golden Sprint Double

Jamaica's Usain Bolt has been in fine form this summer, setting a new 100-meter World Record at 9.72 seconds in May and then running (19.67) the fastest 200m of the year in July. His coach Glenn Miller has confirmed that Bolt will run the 100, 200, and 4x100-meter relay in Beijing.

Carl Lewis is the last man to successfully complete the 100m and 200m victories at the 1984 Olympic Games.

To kick off the campaign, Bolt was presented with a customized pair of golden Puma spikes inscribed "Beijing 100m."

Bolt said: "Partially. Olympic gold is always good and I am doing well in both - but the 200m is closer to my heart."


By Jay Hicks.

PUMA Cell Meio Metallic Crocs

Each company gears up their Summer Olympic Games inspired models and now Puma has just released special styles this Fall of the Cell Meio. Each color has been designed to represent a Puma sponsored team, Jamaica, Sweden, and Morocco.

Furthermore, each sneaker will feature the team’s national colors as well as a faux-croc upper and country’s flag on the heel. These Puma’s have been designed to be set forth as a very sleek and stylish casual shoe and at the same time its upper gives it a dressy feel. Available nationwide at PUMA Concept Stores and on Puma’s website.

By Jay Hicks.

Courtesy Sneakerflies.com.

Puma Unveils More of the Tommie Smith Collection!

PreraceJitters.com originally brought you news of the Tommie Smith shoes by PUMA. The German-based shoe giant has released more styles in the collection to honor 1968 track legend Tommie Smith.

Puma’s relationship with Tommie Smith dates back to the 1960’s. He was a PUMA sponsored athlete while winning the gold medal in the 200 at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics in a world record time of 19.83 at the time.

I love that the “Gold Clydes” have replica gold medals and the winning 200-meter time on the shoe tongue. The “Blue Clydes” are the shoes that Tommie wore on the podium in the 1968 Olympic games. They have been lined with a metallic gold leather, a reference to his gold medal win.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.

Tommie Smith 1968 Suedes

It’s about time that John Carlos and Tommie Smith finally got some love. Puma is paying a small tribute to the two former track stars with “Tommie Smith" Suede Pack.

During the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City when newly crowned 200-meter champion and record holder Tommie Smith raised his fist on the podium, along with bronze medal winner John Carlos, the controversy jumped off.

The barefoot athletes’ salute was meant to represent the civil rights movement and the struggle of African Americans. Tommie Smith and John Carlos were kicked out of the Olympic village, suspended from the U.S. Olympic team, and summarily sent home from the games.

To commemorate these brave men, a two sneaker collection of Suedes will release later this month with a repeating fist monogram along the upper and include golden accents. Look for the shoes to be available for purchase in August 2008.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist