Why a new invention by former track athlete could jeopardise Usain Bolt's world record.
Usain Bolt's status as greatest sprinter of all time could be in danger of a downfall as invention into fastest running track take shape.
Bolt set the world record in the men's 100-metre with a blistering time of 9.58 seconds at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
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In fact, the Jamaican is the owner of the second and third-fastest 100m times, such was his dominance in the event during his prime years on the track. He remains the only human to have ran below 9.60s, but that could all be about to change.
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That's thanks to UK-based technology company Feldspar Sport, which was founded by Hong Kong native Alvina Chen, as they have invented a new high-performance running track which could lead to absurd speeds as reported by TalkSPORT.
Chen pointed out a key reason behind the invention was the fact the track surface had largely been overlooked amid the modernisation of running equipment.
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"There have been a lot of evolutions in running shoes, training methods and nutrition. But the current rubber synthetic track was introduced in the 1968 Olympics, so no-one has ever thought of changing the track surface in almost 60 years.
"With our track, we anticipate that it will be 20 per cent faster than the Paris Olympics track, depending on athlete ability and external conditions."
It's why Chen has 'strong reasons' to believe a remarkable sub-nine time 'is possible'. The track is yet to be ratified by World Athletics for usage and only a 20m version exists, although Chen hopes to extend it to 100m this summer.
What makes modern running track unique
As for how groundbreaking speeds would come about, that is down to an innovative surface. While traditional running tracks has a top surface of rubber, Feldspar's invention comprises of a rubber and composite top surface.
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The hybrid surface would result in an energy loss of less than 10 per cent, a marked difference to the energy loss of approximately 30 per cent on the standard rubber track surfaces.
Chen explained that the rubber and composite top surface would act like a spring. "Increasing track compliance, track energy return and altering the direction of energy return are three ways to improve the speed of a track," Chen said.
Data such as stride length and acceleration rate are among the key analytics that can be relayed instantly to coaches.
Chen also pointed out the data could be leveraged by broadcasters to improve the viewing experience for fans watching at home.