Paris 2024: Five fascinating facts about groundbreaking purple athletics track

A new track designed for the upcoming Paris Olympics is setting the stage for what could be the most unforgettable athletic performances in the history of the Games. 

Italian firm Mondo, renowned for its contributions to Olympic tracks since 1976, has unveiled its latest masterpiece, the Mondotrack EB, for Paris. 

This custom purple track is not only a departure from the traditional terracotta but is also engineered to be the fastest surface yet, promising a thrilling spectacle for athletes and spectators alike. 

Pulse Sports delves into five fascinating facts about this innovative track that will host the world's elite at the Stade de France.

The decision to opt for a striking purple hue for the Paris Olympics track breaks tradition and introduces an element of vibrancy and originality to the athletic events.

According to Alain Blondel, head of athletics and para-athletics events at the Paris Olympics, the choice of two shades of purple—one for the competition areas and another for the technical areas—is designed to enhance the visual experience. 

This contrast is especially aimed at improving the clarity and appeal of TV broadcasts, ensuring that the athletes and their performances are highlighted as never before.

Mondo claims that the Mondotrack EB is set to be the fastest track ever made for the Olympics, potentially leading to record-breaking performances. 

The secret lies in the redesign of the cells in the track’s lower layer, which reduces energy loss for athletes, effectively returning it to them at the most optimal point in their movement. 

This innovation, as explained by Maurizio Stroppiana, vice-president of Mondo's sports division, could make a significant difference in athletes’ performances, possibly leading to new world records in Paris.

 In an era where environmental considerations are paramount, the Paris Olympics track stands out for its green credentials. 

Giorgio Lesage, Mondo's sustainability and innovation chief, reveals that up to 50 percent of the components of the track are either renewable or recycled. 

This represents a significant increase from the just over 30 percent seen at the London 2012 Olympics, underscoring a commitment to sustainability without compromising on performance.

Despite the innovative aspects of the track’s design and composition, Mondo has adhered to the stringent criteria set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

These standards ensure that the health of the athlete is paramount and that their technique is not adversely affected. 

Andrea Marenghi, Mondo’s research and development manager, emphasized that while athletes are more high-performance than ever, the track enhances but does not artificially augment their abilities.

The Paris Olympics will mark Mondo’s 13th time supplying the track for the Games, a testament to the firm’s enduring excellence and innovation in sports surface technology. 

Based in the Piedmont town of Alba, Mondo first made its Olympic debut with the track for the 1976 Montreal Olympics. 

Since then it has continually evolved its product culminating in the Mondotrack EB for Paris which promises to be a significant part of Olympic history.

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