RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 20, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mondo, whose sport flooring is the dominant flooring surface at the 2011 Military World Games in Brazil, announced today that it has opened Mondo Brazil to support its sales and service efforts in the South American country as it prepares to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games. Mondo is the global leader in the sport flooring market.
2011 Military World Games
The fifth Military World Games, now underway in Brazil, is a nine-day, Olympic-style competition that brings together approximately 4,900 athletes representing 100 nations' armed forces.
The main surface being used for track training and competition for these games, which continue through July 24, is Mondo's Super X Performance track.
Eight track and field venues at the games feature the world-class surface, including João Havelange Olympic Stadium, where the finals in athletics (track and field) will take place. This also is the stadium where the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2016 Summer Paralympics athletics competitions will be held, and where the 2007 Pan American Games took place.
In addition, Super X Performance is the surface for the running portion of the Military Games' pentathlon competition; Mondosport Performance is being used for the Games' volleyball competition.
Mondo is the official surface supplier for the Military World Games and the event's exclusive sponsor.
"Mondo is proud of our close association with the Military World Games and the event's pursuit of international harmony through sport," said Federico Stroppiana, vice president, strategic development, Mondo Group. "It is only fitting that the men and women representing their nations' armed forces are training and competing on surfaces engineered to help them perform their best."
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 during both training and high-level competition.
Installed at more than 1,100 venues globally, Mondo's Super X Performance track was used in the eight Olympic Games prior to Beijing. (Mondo's newest track surface, Mondotrack, was the official track of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and will be the track of the 2012 London Olympics.) More than 230 world records have been set on Mondo tracks, including five at the 2008 Olympics.
Mondo Brazil
Mondo Brazil is headquartered in Nova Lima, not far from Belo Horizonte. Raffaele Peano is president of the new subsidiary, the company's first in South America.
"The opening of Mondo Brazil in advance of these major international competitions is important for ensuring the highest level of product delivery, service and support, but it also will enhance Mondo's position in the global market," said Stroppiana. "South America has a rich sporting tradition and Mondo Brazil will enable us to expand our international presence through the sales to indoor and outdoor sports facilities in the prosperous South American market."
Mondo now has offices in 140 countries around the world.
About the Military World Games
Organized by the International Military Sports Council (CISM), the Military World Games take place every four years, in the year immediately preceding the Summer Olympics. A combined total of 16,000 athletes have participated in the previous four Military World Games, which have been held in Rome (1995); Zagreb, Croatia (1999); Catania, Italy (2003); and Hyderabad, India (2007).
About Mondo
Mondo is the global leader in the sports and contract flooring markets, manufacturing flooring surfaces for virtually every application. More than 2,000 Mondo tracks and 800 Mondo artificial turf fields are installed worldwide. The official supplier of the athletic track for the past nine Olympic Games and the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations.
The company supplies a wide variety of commercial flooring, and it 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.
A family-owned business since its founding in 1948, Mondo sells its products in more than 196 countries. The company's global headquarters are in Italy, and it has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. More information about Mondo is available at www.mondoworldwide.com.
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