Three elite track athletes, including Jamaican Olympian Damion Thomas Jr. and American World Championship Gold Medalist Champion Allison, have filed lawsuits against Puma and Mercedes' Formula 1 team in Middlesex County Superior Court. They allege that the high-tech racing shoes, designed to enhance performance, instead caused severe injuries that derailed their careers. The lawsuits claim that Puma failed to disclose that certain models, including the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 and 3, could place abnormal stress on athletes' feet and legs, leading to injuries such as fractures and Achilles problems. Thomas and Allison, who both began their sponsorship with Puma in 2022, are seeking damages for physical and emotional injuries, medical expenses, and loss of career opportunities. These lawsuits follow a similar claim by Abby Steiner, another athlete sponsored by Puma, who also reported serious injuries linked to the shoes. Puma has invested heavily in its shoe technology to regain market share in elite running, but the lawsuits allege that safety was compromised for speed. A spokesperson for Puma denied the allegations, stating that their products are worn by top-performing athletes and are extensively tested.