As evening fell over the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) in New Delhi, the floodlights illuminated the two-tone blue surface of the newly installed Mondo athletics track. This world-class track has been laid in preparation for the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships 2025, replacing the old synthetic track that had served the stadium for years. The alternating shades of blue are not just visually striking but serve a critical purpose for athletes with partial visual impairments, helping them stay aligned and improve spatial awareness during races.
Paralympic gold medalist and sprinter Simran Sharma highlighted the importance of this innovation. “My line of sight can occasionally become blurry when I run, but the alternate lanes with varying shades improve my spatial awareness. I have done a couple of training sessions here, and it feels very comfortable,” she shared. For para athletes, the new track is not only an upgrade but a confidence booster before stepping onto the global stage.
India’s First Outdoor Mondo Track
The Mondo track, globally renowned for its speed and performance-enhancing qualities, has now made its outdoor debut in India at JLN Stadium. This marks a milestone in Indian athletics infrastructure. Along with the main competition track, a separate Mondo warm-up track has been laid outside the stadium. Both projects were completed in just four months at a cost of nearly ₹25 crore, according to officials from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Prior to this, India only had one indoor Mondo track at the Kalinga Athletics Indoor Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Why Mondo Tracks Are Considered the Fastest
Mondo tracks are the international standard at Olympic and World Championship venues. Their unique construction sets them apart from conventional synthetic tracks. The surface is built with a dual-layer system— a soft, shock-absorbing top layer that reduces fatigue and injuries, and a firm base layer that provides superior energy return, enabling athletes to push off the ground faster with the same effort. This advanced design translates into enhanced speed, agility, and performance.
Explaining in simple terms, the chief coach of Delhi Athletics said, “Imagine standing on a springy top layer instead of a hard synthetic surface. The shock absorption of Mondo makes it less jarring compared to tracks laid on asphalt or concrete.”
However, coaches also issued a word of caution. Because the Mondo track naturally enhances performance by 10–12%, athletes need to carefully adapt their training intensity to prevent injuries. “The track has speed, and athletes must condition themselves accordingly. If they go overboard, there is a risk of strain,” noted coach Dinesh.
Boost for Young Athletes and Para Champions
The installation of the Mondo track has created excitement among India’s para athletes, particularly younger competitors eager to train on world-class infrastructure. Harish, a junior sprinter from Delhi, expressed his joy: “Although it’s closed to us for now, I’m really excited to practice and compete on this track after the Para World Championships. I’ve only seen Mondo tracks on TV, and now we have one here in Delhi.”
Paralympian javelin thrower Rinku Hooda also praised the upgrade. After testing the track during training, he said, “I have participated in Paralympic competitions on these tracks, and having one close by ensures we are better prepared for global events. For me as a javelin thrower, I just need to adjust my speed, but otherwise, this surface is far superior to the old one.”
World Para Athletics Championships 2025: A Historic Stage
On September 27, 2025, more than 1,300 para athletes from 104 countries will compete at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi. For India, hosting this prestigious event on home soil, with state-of-the-art infrastructure, is both a challenge and a landmark moment. The newly-laid Mondo track at JLN Stadium is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring that Indian athletes perform at their best while also offering international athletes world-class conditions.
Beyond the event itself, the availability of such high-performance tracks in India is a long–term investment in sports excellence. Athletes will now have access to the same training conditions they encounter abroad, eliminating the performance gap and boosting India’s chances on the global stage.
Conclusion: A Leap Forward for Indian Athletics
The installation of India’s first outdoor Mondo athletics track at JLN Stadium is more than just an infrastructural upgrade—it is a statement of intent. By aligning Indian facilities with international standards, the government and sports authorities are empowering para athletes and young sprinters alike to achieve greater heights. With enhanced speed, reduced fatigue, and improved safety, the track is set to redefine training and competition experiences for years to come.
As New Delhi prepares to welcome the world for the World Para Athletics Championships 2025, the Mondo track stands as a symbol of progress, inclusivity, and India’s growing commitment to nurturing athletic talent on par with the best in the world.
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