WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 8, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- As more than 1,000 able-bodied and disabled high-school student-athletes hailing from all over the eastern U.S. and Canada converge today to begin the 41st annual Glenn D. Loucks Memorial Track and Field Games, they will be the first to compete on the newly installed Mondo Super X Performance track.
A Mother's Day weekend tradition at White Plains High School since 1968, the Games have become one of the premier outdoor competitions for leading high-school track and field student-athletes in the country, and participating athletes are selected for achieving excellence in individual track and field events. Modeled after the Olympic Games, the Loucks Games include opening ceremonies with an athlete, coach, official parade and "The Olympian" award statues that represent the spirit of the Games and the perseverance of its winners.
The installation of the Mondo Super X Performance track was finished just days ago, along with new lighting and stadium seating, to specifically coincide with the beginning of the 2008 Games.
"This year's competitors will have the first go on the new Mondo track," said White Plains High School director of athletics Nick Panaro, who was on the evaluation and selection committee for the new surface. "We chose Mondo because of the annual Loucks meet, and wanted the best surface for the athletes to run on."
The world's top track for more than 30 years, Mondo Super X Performance has been installed at more than 1,100 venues globally. Recognized around the world as the fastest, most durable and environmentally safest track available, it has been used in the past eight Olympic Games, and Mondo is the official supplier to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing for athletic tracks.
"Many athletes have achieved faster times when running on Mondo tracks versus other surfaces," said Federico Stroppiana, president of Mondo North and South America. "Nearly 230 world records and countless national and personal bests have been set on Mondo tracks."
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.
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 Mondo Marine 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 196 countries. More information about Mondo is available at www.mondousa.com.
Mondo is a registered trademark of Mondo.
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