Bolt, Sindhu, Sreejesh light up Khari Baoli rooftop relay in Delhi

Usain Bolt, PV Sindhu, PR Sreejesh, and Animesh Kujur turned Old Delhi’s Khari Baoli rooftop into a sprint track, blending sport and heritage in a PUMA-led relay spectacle.

Hyderabad: The capital woke up on Tuesday to a burst of speed, colour, and culture as Old Delhi transformed into a playground for the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt. Against the backdrop of Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice market, history met sporting spectacle in a way India has never witnessed before.

For the first time, the heritage terrace of Delhi’s Khari Baoli was turned into a sprint track. Bolt, joined by India’s Olympic stars PV Sindhu, PR Sreejesh, and India’s fastest man Animesh Kujur, transformed the centuries-old rooftop — once used for spice trading, kite flying, and festivals — into a relay of champions. With the Red Fort looming in the distance and spices drying under the morning sun, the race stitched together culture and competition like never before.

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Legendary athlete and PUMA brand ambassador Usain Bolt said: “Running through the spice-scented rooftops of Old Delhi was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. To share the baton with India’s finest Olympians and fellow PUMAs like PV Sindhu, PR Sreejesh, and Animesh Kujur in such a historic setting was pure energy. This is what sport is all about — breaking boundaries, creating culture, and having fun along the way.”

Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director, PUMA India, said: “At PUMA, everything begins with sport. Bringing Usain Bolt to India was about creating moments that fans would never imagine or forget, like turning the rooftop of Khari Baoli into a relay track. For us, it’s not just about showcasing speed, it’s about reimagining how sport can connect with culture in the most unexpected ways.”

Badminton icon and PUMA athlete PV Sindhu said: “It was inspiring to run shoulder to shoulder with Usain Bolt at Khari Baoli in the heart of Old Delhi. Being part of such a once-in-a-lifetime relay with a global legend felt surreal — it’s the kind of moment that reminds me why I fell in love with sport in the first place. Thanks to PUMA, we could be part of a relay that beautifully blended India’s heritage with sporting greatness.”

PR Sreejesh, two-time Olympian and hockey star, said: “Being part of this relay with the legendary Usain Bolt on the rooftop of Khari Baoli was memorable. I’m grateful to PUMA India for making this iconic sporting moment possible.”

Reacting to running alongside his idol, Animesh Kujur, recently on-boarded as a PUMA brand ambassador, said: “As a child who grew up idolising Usain Bolt, to actually receive the baton from him in this relay is a dream come true. What made it even more special is that I got an opportunity to be part of a relay team with Olympic legends such as PV Sindhu and PR Sreejesh who have brought so much glory to India.”