American track and field star Abby Steiner claims shoes made by Puma ended her career.
Steiner, a two-time world champion, a four-time NCAA national champion and U.S. indoor record-holder for the 200m and 300m sprints, claims the sneaker and apparel brand’s shoe designs caused “severe and permanent” injuries, leaving her “unable to run competitively, including at the professional and Olympic level.”
According to a lawsuit filed in Massachusetts on April 24 and viewed by The Post, running shoes utilizing carbon fiber plate and/or Nitrofoam technology — with engineering and development insight from Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, also named as a defendant — contributed to career-ending foot and emotional injuries.
A request for comment from Puma was not returned as of publish.
Steiner, who has undergone several surgeries and programs relating to injuries to her feet since first becoming sponsored by Puma in 2022, alleges the companies created a defective product that “alters the biomechanics of runners predisposing them to risk, injury and harm,” causes bone stress injuries and increases the risk of “injury, harm and damage.”
The 26-year-old missed the 2023 World Championship due to a heel injury that required surgery and later missed out on a 2024 Olympic spot after finishing in sixth in the 200 meters at the Olympic trials.
She has since undergone two more surgeries on her left heel and has been unable to compete.
In August 2024, she posted a photo of her booted left foot from a hospital bed, writing, “We threw essentially every single thing you can do for a foot at my symptoms, yet I was struggling big time. I was often limping around before & after my practices and getting through on sheer willpower to fulfill a lifelong dream.”
A year later, in announcing her acceptance into South Carolina’s Master’s program for Exercise Science, she noted that she was taking time away from the sport.
“Taking a step back from running for the time being to give myself the time I need to get healthy while pursuing some other passions of mine,” she wrote.