Adidas has reported a stronger-than-expected first-quarter operating profit and sales, defying what CEO Bjorn Gulden described as a "very volatile and heavily discounted" retail environment, particularly in the sneaker market. The robust performance saw the company's shares climb 7% at market open. Adidas has reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, projecting high-single-digit sales growth and an operating profit of 2.3 billion euros. The sportswear giant is currently enjoying a boost from its ultra-light racing “supershoe’, worn by Kenyan athlete Sabastian Sawe when he became the first person to complete an official marathon in under two hours at the London Marathon on Sunday. Running sales surged by over 10%, while increased demand for football shirts ahead of the 2026 World Cup also contributed, despite Gulden acknowledging "many supply and transportation issues" for World Cup products.…