American sprint star Abby Steiner has initiated legal proceedings against Puma and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, alleging that
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performance footwear supplied through their partnership contributed to a series of injuries that derailed her career.
Steiner, 26, rose to prominence as one of the brightest talents in global sprinting, capturing two gold medals at the World Athletics Championships in 2022. She also enjoyed a dominant collegiate career, securing four NCAA titles between 2021 and 2022, and setting American indoor records in both the 200m and 300m events, alongside the NCAA 200m record.
However, her trajectory has been significantly impacted by persistent injury խնդիրներ. After finishing sixth in the 200m at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2024—missing out on qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics—Steiner stepped away from elite competition. That result followed a difficult period spanning 2023 and early 2024, during which she withdrew from multiple high-profile competitions due to recurring foot injuries.
Between 2023 and 2025, Steiner underwent three separate medical procedures related to these issues. In August 2025, she announced an indefinite break from professional athletics to focus on academic pursuits, specifically a master’s degree in exercise science.
According to reports from Front Office Sports, Steiner’s lawsuit claims that specific Puma footwear models—namely the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 and 3, as well as the evoSPEED Tokyo Nitro—were “unsafe,” “defective,” and contributed to an increased risk of injury. Central to her complaint is the design of the shoes, particularly their incorporation of carbon fibre plates and nitrogen-infused foam technology, which she alleges placed excessive stress on her feet.
Steiner contends that the footwear not only worsened existing injuries but also prevented her from competing at the highest level, including both professional circuits and Olympic qualification events. As a result, she is seeking compensation covering medical costs, lost earnings tied to her interrupted career, and damages for reduced quality of life, including physical and emotional impacts.
The case raises broader questions about the safety of advanced performance footwear technologies and their long-term effects on elite athletes. Neither Puma nor Mercedes has publicly responded in detail to the allegations at this stage.