New Delhi – Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya officially opened a new Mondotrack and a permanent, high-quality fitness center at the warm-up area of the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium on Thursday. The inauguration comes just before the start of the World Para Athletics Championships, which New Delhi will host from September 27 to October 5.
JLN Stadium’s Dual Mondo Tracks
The newly opened facility is a nine-lane Mondotrack, a highly durable and performance-enhancing surface often used in major international competitions. Its addition to the practice zone means the JLN Stadium now features Mondo tracks in both the main competition arena and the warm-up area—a rarity among major athletic venues.
The warm-up track was opened days after Mandaviya inaugurated an identical Mondo track in the main stadium on August 29. The upcoming World Para Athletics Championships will be the first major event where athletes will be able to utilize both cutting-edge tracks. Paralympics Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia highlighted the significance of the upgrade, noting, “Now, JLN has become a rare venue where both the main competition and warm up area have Mondo tracks. There was no Mondo track at the warm up area in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the championships (in Paris and Kobe),” as reported by Sportstar.
The Mondo Track Advantage
The term Mondotrack refers to a prefabricated, vulcanized rubber surface specifically engineered for elite athletic performance. Its design is known for optimal shock absorption, energy return, and consistent grip, which minimizes fatigue and enhances speed, a critical factor for competitive athletes, particularly in para-sports. The investment in these high-caliber surfaces ensures that athletes competing at the championships have access to world-class facilities for both competition and pre-race preparation.
New Permanent Fitness Center
In addition to the running track, Mandaviya also inaugurated a top-class fitness center in the warm-up zone. Developed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) with support from the General Insurance Corporation (GIC), the center is designed for athletes to use while preparing for their events. Mandaviya emphasized the lasting benefit of the facility, stating, “It’s good that it (fitness centre) will remain permanent so that athletes can use this and benefit from this,” according to Sportstar.
The warm-up area has also been upgraded with LED floodlights and a dedicated jogging area, allowing athletes the flexibility to train and practice at any time, including after sunset or early in the morning. Mandaviya was accompanied at the inauguration by Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, and Devendra Jhajharia.
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