NEW YORK, June 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The impressive roster of international track and field superstars flocking to the seventh annual Adidas Grand Prix competition on June 11 will no doubt keep the anticipated 10,000 spectators on their feet. Keeping the competitors, including Olympic athletes, world champions and high school state and national champions, on their feet—and enabling them to perform their best—will be the Super X Performance track, manufactured by Mondo, the global leader in the sport flooring market.
Held at Icahn Stadium at Randall's Island, the Adidas Grand Prix continues to be one of the world's premier track and field events, and a regular venue for record-setting performances. In 2010 alone, eight men and four women set new meet standards. Since 2005, when the facility's $42 million renovation project was completed, Icahn Stadium has been home to an eight-lane, 400-meter Mondo Super X Performance track, recognized around the world as one of the fastest, most durable and environmentally safest tracks available. Icahn Stadium was the first athletic facility in the United States to receive the prestigious Class 1 certification by the International Association of Athletics Federations, so it meets the precise quality and performance requirements laid down by the IAAF, including those for synthetic track surfaces. Only four venues in the U.S. and 80 internationally are IAAF Class 1 certified.
"There is always so much anticipation for the Adidas Grand Prix, which will once again draw the top track and field athletes to compete on the world's best track surface," said Louis Vazquez, Randall's Island Sports Field track and field director. "The Mondo Super X Performance track is ideal for both distance running and sprints, and without a doubt helps the athletes perform their best. We expect incredibly fast times again this year, and I know the athletes are looking forward to the opportunity to shine."
Because of the event's high visibility, the Adidas Grand Prix continually draws some of the world's best track and field athletes, and this year is no exception. Notable competitors include the reigning 100-meter Olympic and world champion, Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, and world No. 1-ranked 100-meter sprinter, the United States' Carmelita Jeter. Three-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion Jeremy Wariner is scheduled to compete, as are Jamaican sprint sensation Nickel Ashmeade and "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, the 400-meter Paralympic gold medalist, who is angling for a spot in the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Adidas Grand Prix will also feature elite high school track and cross country champions competing in the second annual Jim Ryun High School Dream Mile for boys and girls.
Super X Performance was developed to maintain its initial physical properties throughout its life, so it provides consistent performance. The vulcanized natural rubber surface provides maximum elasticity and unparalleled durability, and its embossed, textured finish makes it extremely easy to maintain with no resurfacing required. This high-performance track is renowned for its shock absorption and optimal energy return, and its ideal blend of speed and comfort minimizes the occurrence of injuries during both training and high-level competition.
Mondo's Super X Performance track has been installed at more than 1,100 venues globally and was used in the eight Olympic Games prior to Beijing. (Mondo's newest track surface, Mondotrack, was the official track of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and will be the track of the 2012 London Olympics.) More than 230 world records have been set on Mondo tracks, including five at the 2008 Olympics.
About Mondo
Mondo, is the global leader in the sports and contract flooring markets, manufacturing flooring surfaces for virtually every application. More than 1,100 Mondo tracks and 800 Mondo artificial turf fields are installed worldwide. The official supplier of the athletic track for the past nine Olympic Games and the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations.
The company supplies a wide variety of commercial flooring, and it is the world's largest producer of sports and toy balls with an average daily production of 450,000 units. In addition, it manufactures large luxury yachts under its Mondo Marine division.
A family-owned business since its founding in 1948, Mondo sells its products in more than 196 countries. The company's global headquarters are in Italy, and it has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. More information about Mondo is available at www.mondoworldwide.com.
Mondo is a registered trademark of Mondo.
The Mondo logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5765