DAEGU, South Korea, Aug. 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated track and field events of the year, the 2011 IAAF World Championships will welcome more than 2,400 of the world's best track and field athletes from 207 nations. The athletes will compete over nine days, from Aug. 27 to Sept. 4, and Daegu Stadium's Mondo Super X Performance track will be helping them race their fastest.
Manufactured by Mondo, the global leader in the sport flooring market, the Super X Performance track is recognized around the world as one of the fastest, most durable and environmentally safest tracks available. More than 230 world records have been set on Mondo tracks, including five at the 2008 Olympics. The championships will be a good test for competitors before the 2012 London Olympics, and IAAF World Championship organizers said they expect the Mondo track to help produce some world-record times.
The Super X Performance track was installed at Daegu Stadium during late 2010. In addition to the new track, other recent improvements, such as high-tech IT facilities, electronic signboards and state-of-the-art lighting and audio systems, have helped make the venue one of the best in the world. The IAAF World Championships was first held in Helsinki in 1983; this 13th edition of the event marks the first time it will be held in South Korea.
"The world's best track and field athletes—and the sport's biggest stages—deserve a superior track surface," said Federico Stroppiana, vice president, strategic development, Mondo Group. "The Mondo Super X Performance track was engineered to help athletes at all levels, up to the world's elite runners, perform at their best, and we look forward to seeing what these amazing athletes will accomplish on a Mondo track in Daegu."
Athletes expected to compete at this year's competition include Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, from Jamaica, who holds the world record in the men's 100-meter and 200-meter races. He will be joined by fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell; two-time Olympic gold medalist and world champion pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva from Russia; Cuban hurdler Dayron Robles and Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang of China.
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.)
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.
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 mondoworldwide.com.
Mondo is a registered trademark of Mondo.
The Mondo logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5765