Olympic track producing record performance
------------------------------------------------
Athletics records and personal best times have tumbled at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, helped by a lightning-fast track surface that has been compared to a trampoline
------------------------------------------------
TRACK SURFACE

Developed by Italian company, Mondo. Composed of two layers of rubber

Top layer
Optimises slip resistance, traction and durability

Stride length increased

Backing
Cushioned for shock absorption

Design cuts need for spikes on athletes’ running shoes to penetrate track surface

Layers are vulcanised together to form seamless piece of material

Foot spends less time in contact with ground
------------------------------------------------
1 Foot contact
Track surface deflects, absorbing impact force and converting it into stored energy

2 Roll: Material helps shorten length of time that foot naturally rolls on impact, resulting in better overall performance

3 Stride: Track springs back as foot leaves surface, releasing stored energy and projecting athlete forward

Structure: Elongated diamond shape allows backing to flex in multiple directions

------------------------------------------------
ATHLETICS RECORDS BROKEN AT TOKYO 2020 (times in seconds)

Men’s 100m (ER)  Lamont Marcell Jacobs ITA 9.80

Women’s 100m (OR) Elaine Thompson-Herah JAM 10.61

Men’s 400m hurdles (WR)  Karsten Warholm NOR  45.94

Women’s 400m hurdles (WR) Sydney McLaughlin USA 51.46

Women’s triple jump (WR) Yulimar Rojas VEN 15.67m

ER = European record, OR = Olympic record, WR = World record 
------------------------------------------------
Sources: BBC, Mondo SpA, New York Times Picture: Getty Images
© GRAPHIC NEWS