BOULDER, Colo., May 16, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The 12th annual Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships, May 16-18, will feature numerous standout performers -- and one outstanding track.
With a field that includes 13 returning women's conference champions, 10 returning men's conference champions, and three members of the U.S. team from the 2007 IAAF World Championships, the meet will take place on a Mondo Super X Performance track.
The championships will be held at the University of Colorado's Potts Field, home to an Olympic-style 400 meter oval with a Mondo Super X Performance track that was installed in 2003. Widely regarded as one of the best outdoor venues in the country, Potts Field was the site of the 1986 and 1993 Big Eight Conference Outdoor Championships; this is the first time it will host the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
"At more than 5,400 feet above sea level, our venue may be one of the highest-altitude Mondo Super X tracks, and one of the fastest racing surfaces, in the U.S.," said Mark Wetmore, head coach of track and field at Colorado (CU). "We expect some outstanding performances at this meet."
CU men's track and field teams have won 11 consecutive conference championships; CU women have won 10 of the last 11 Big 12 titles. The men's team won the NCAA crown in 2001; the women took home the national title the previous year.
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; nearly 230 world records and countless national and personal bests have been set on Mondo tracks.
"Because of our tracks' superior design, Olympic, professional, collegiate and high-school athletes around the world can be confident they will perform their best when they're running on Mondo," said Federico Stroppiana, president of Mondo North and South America. "We're very pleased that a Mondo track in Boulder -- Running Town, U.S.A. -- will help Big 12 athletes compete at their highest level during this year's conference championships."
Super X Performance was developed to maintain its initial physical properties, so it provides consistent performance throughout its life. 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. The 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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