Delhi : In a move set to redefine Indian athletics, New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has unveiled the country’s first-ever Mondo track, symbolizing a giant stride toward Olympic-level infrastructure and international recognition. The blue-striped, nine-lane arena took just four months to complete, replacing the aging surface from the 2010 Commonwealth Games and making India the 25th nation in the world to adopt this elite technology.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, leading the inauguration as part of National Sports Day celebrations, called it “a step toward making India a sporting powerhouse by 2047,” echoing the government’s bold vision for the future. Veteran athletes and para-sport stars, such as former long jump legend Anju Bobby George and Paralympic gold medallist Sumit Antil, joined the festivities—Sumit remarked, “Athletes no longer need to wait for world-class facilities; our time is now!”. Such sentiment finds resonance in Anju Bobby George’s words: “This track is more than synthetic rubber—it’s the springboard for dreams and global victories.”
The new surface is celebrated for its cutting-edge shock absorption, energy return, and eco-friendly design. Besides the main track, adjacent training facilities have also been modernized, ensuring that both able-bodied and para-athletes can experience the same comfort and safety found at venues like Paris and Los Angeles Olympics. The Mondo track now stands ready for its ultimate test: the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships (September 26–October 5), where over 100 nations will see India’s leap toward world-class sporting excellence unfold.
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“Our athletes—both able-bodied and para—can now train and compete on Mondo tracks widely used in global events,” Paralympian Devendra Jhajharia shared.
The track’s rapid four-month completion overcame monsoon challenges, demonstrating Indian engineering prowess.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated National Sports Day saying, “From grassroots to world-class facilities, India is now a vibrant sports ecosystem”.
With its dazzling new track, New Delhi isn’t just racing ahead—it’s setting a standard for Indian athletics and inspiring the next generation of sporting champions.
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