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Breakin’ the Wall 9.58: Berlin says “Thank You”
Usain Bolt receives original Piece of Berlin Wall
Berlin, 23 August 2009
– After his sensational world records at the World Athletics
Championships in Berlin, Germany’s capital paid a special tribute to Usain Bolt, presenting him an original piece of the Berlin Wall. In memory of his outstanding performances in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m finals, the Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit bestowed the fastest man on earth with an individually designed concrete segment of the Berlin Wall 20 years after its fall.
The unique souvenir has a height of about 3.60 meters and a width of 1.20 metres and weighs 2.7 tons. It was designed exclusively for Usain Bolt by the young Leipzig artist Abraham using aerosol technique. The front displays Usain Bolt on his way to break the 100 m world record on
the legendary blue of the tracks of the Berlin stadium.
the legendary blue of the tracks of the Berlin stadium.
"Berlin is happy about Usain Bolt’s fantastic world records", said the Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit. "The t-shirt that he put on after his 200 meter final, saying 'Ich bin ein Berlino', shows how much he identifies with our city."
"I am very grateful for this special present from Berlin. The World Championships were an outstanding event for me," said Usain Bolt. "The weather was almost Jamaican and there was an amazing excitement in the stadium as well as in the whole city, which spurred me on to run
world record times. This altogether made my stay in Berlin very, very special for me."
world record times. This altogether made my stay in Berlin very, very special for me."
The original wall segment in the shape of an "L", such as it once separated the German capital at Potsdamer Platz, was designed exclusively for Usain Bolt by the young Leipzig artist Abraham using aerosol technique.
In memory of the outstanding sports performances the Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, presented the souvenir to Bolt in the Berlin Champions Club on Sunday. The partners be Berlin, Bolt’s sponsor PUMA, DB Schenker Transport und Logistik, Visible Wall and Rosenthal rendered this special present to the sprint hero possible – realized through the management of TOP Sportmarketing Berlin, host of the Champions Club.
Following the World Championships, Usain Bolt’s wall piece "Breakin’ the Wall" will also be available as a china miniature and part of the edition Visible Wall with legendary designs of wall art and the history of the German reunification.
Media Contact:
Ulf Santjer - Corporate Communications - PUMA AG - +49 170 56 58 228 –
Ulf Santjer - Corporate Communications - PUMA AG - +49 170 56 58 228 –
ulf.santjer@puma.com
Kerstin Neuber - Corporate Communications - PUMA AG - +49 9132 81 2984 -
kerstin.neuber@puma.com
PUMA
PUMA is one of the world’s leading sportlifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Creativity, SAFE Sustainability and Peace, and by staying true to the values of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Football, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing.
PUMA is one of the world’s leading sportlifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Creativity, SAFE Sustainability and Peace, and by staying true to the values of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Football, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing.
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The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Tretorn and Hussein Chalayan. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes its
products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach/Germany, Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.puma.com
