Arizona State 1st in US to install same track as Beijing

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http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/n ... l?d=132007

Source: Mondo

Mondo Announces Arizona State University is First in U.S. to Install the Same Track That Will be Installed At the Beijing Olympics

TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 27, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Mondo, a global leader in the sports flooring market, today announced that Arizona State University is the first U.S. venue to install its new Mondotrack FTX, the same product that will be used as the official track for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. ASU selected the surface for its Joe Selleh Track at Sun Angel Stadium, the home of its track and field program. Installation is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.

Mondotrack FTX builds upon the success of Mondo's Super X track, which has been the world's top track for more than 30 years. The new surface was designed to provide optimal traction and a greater contact area than other tracks. It takes the maximum amount of force generated by athletes' foot strikes and converts it to energy for maximum energy return, which helps athletes achieve faster times than when running on other surfaces. Mondotrack FTX also provides excellent athletic comfort and maximum safety.

The new track will have its North American debut next month at the 2007 U.S. Track & Field and Cross County Coaches Association convention in Phoenix.

"More than 1,000 Mondo tracks are installed worldwide, and more than 220 world records and countless national and personal bests have been set on Mondo Super X tracks," said Federico Stroppiana, president of Mondo North and South America. "For Mondotrack FTX, we conducted extensive research to produce a design that takes the world-renowned performance of Super X to the next level."

"We are excited to be putting in the new Mondo surface that will be in Beijing," said Greg Kraft, head coach of Arizona State's track and field team. "Mondo has a reputation as one of the great track builders in the world, and that is why its tracks have been the surface for the last eight Olympic Games and numerous other athletic events."

Home to the 2007 NCAA Women's Indoor and Outdoor Champions, Sun Angel Stadium opened for competition in 1976. It has hosted three Pac-10 Championship meets (1979, 1991 and 1999) and is the home of the annual Sun Angel Track Classic, one of the top collegiate meets. In all, Sun Angel Stadium has been the home venue for 21 Olympians and seven medalists (five gold, one silver and one bronze), including recent gold medalists Dwight Phillips (2004, long jump) and Nick Hysong (2000, pole vault). It also has been the training home for winners of 30 NCAA championships, including 27 individual titles and three relay crowns.

About Mondo

Mondo is the global leader in the sports flooring market, manufacturing floor surfaces for virtually every sport. The official supplier of the athletic track and basketball and handball courts of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations, including FIBA, IAAF, Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, NIRSA, U.S. Track Coaches Association and YMCA.

The company also supplies a wide variety of commercial flooring and 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 Mondomarine division.

Mondo invests heavily in research and development to ensure its products meet the highest quality standards in the industry, deliver optimal athletic performance, are durable, require minimal maintenance and are environmentally safe.

A family-owned business since its founding in 1948, Mondo's global headquarters are in Italy. The company has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia and sells its products in more than 134 countries. More information about Mondo is available at www.mondousa.com.