To ensure sport is accessible to all, Gatorade has teamed up with Expo 2020 Dubai’s Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub to encourage people to run for a good cause, spearheaded by Usain Bolt

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 7 November 2021 – Going above and beyond its role as the Official Beverage and Snack Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, PepsiCo through its sports drink Gatorade is bringing one of the greatest athletes of all time and the Gatorade ambassador, Usain Bolt, to Expo 2020 Dubai. PepsiCo is uniting the platform of Expo 2020 Dubai with the global influence of Gatorade and Usain Bolt, to support the communities it operates in by ensuring healthy lifestyles are inclusive and sports and wellness is accessible to all. 

Few athletes have redefined their sport like Usain Bolt. An 11-time world champion, 8-time Olympic gold medalist and holder of multiple world records, the sprint king has dominated track and field for over a decade, becoming his sport’s most recognizable icon. As a Gatorade brand ambassador, Usain Bolt has repeatedly challenged definitions of what’s possible – pushing boundaries, setting records and making history. 

Through a partnership with the Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub at Expo 2020 Dubai, PepsiCo has arranged a public 1.45 km Family Run on Saturday 13th November to raise funds for Al Noor Rehabilitation & Welfare Association for People of Determination. Usain Bolt will lace up his sneakers and headline the Run, inspiring everyone who lives an active lifestyle to join him in this run for good. 

“Through Expo 2020 Dubai, PepsiCo is driving positive change and sparking joy to create unforgettable moments. We believe in the vital role that people of determination play in our community and recognize the importance of them receiving the rehabilitation and training as well as the support required to allow them to become strong assets in building a better future. We are proud to work with the Sports Hub and Usain Bolt to raise money to enable Al Noor to continue doing so much good for students of determination,” said Aamer Sheikh, President and General Manager, MENA and Pakistan.

Sholto Douglas-Home, Chief Marketing, Communication and Sales Officer for Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “We are thrilled by the opportunity for Usain Bolt, alongside our partners at PepsiCo and Gatorade, to help bring focus to one of Expo 2020’s central themes – to inspire people to embrace, on a daily basis, the importance and value of fitness, health and wellbeing in their lives. Sports has the enduring power to bring people, communities and nations together so we are honoured that Usain has agreed to be a part of the Run the World event and are confident that it will encourage many people to run for their own good causes.”

The Family Run is open to the public of all ages and abilities, and you will need to pre-registration to save your space at the start line. It is free of charge to join but all participants are encouraged to donate to Al Noor Rehabilitation & Welfare Association for People of Determination to continue the important work supporting educational programs to build a brighter future. For more information on the Family Run, please visit the event page.

Following the Family Run on November 13th, Usain Bolt will be participating in a meet and greet with some of his biggest fans, at the Gatorade the Bolt pavilion, located in the Mobility District. Head over to the Gatorade Arabia Instagram page to learn more about the competition to win an invitation to this once in a lifetime meet and greet. 

Usain Bolt surprises mega-fan, Hamda Hosani 

With 17 Special Olympic medals under her belt already, local heroine and specially-abled Emirati athlete, Hamda Hosani counts Bolt as one of her heroes, so PepsiCo organized a surprise Zoom call between the two. Announcing his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai, Bolt invited Hosani to headline the run at his side. 

Having been diagnosed with epilepsy, Hosani has never let the condition set her back, instead demonstrating great tenacity, commitment, and sheer talent. She has been a champion in encouraging children to believe in themselves and embrace sport, while also challenging the misconceptions surrounding those with disabilities. 

Gatorade contains fluids, carbohydrates, and electrolytes to help athletes perform at their best. To better meet athlete needs, Gatorade products are backed by GSSI. GSSI creates products that are supported by the latest sports science and developed in collaboration with the world’s greatest athletes in all phases of athletic activity. By bringing Usain Bolt to Dubai, Gatorade highlights its ongoing commitment to inspire the next generations of athletes on their path to greatness.