Karsten Warholm seems to have an affinity for Mondotrack WS tracks.
The two-time 400m hurdles world champion’s breakthrough performance over the barriers was at the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships in London on a Mondotrack WS surface.
He returned to The Stadium in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in July this year to set a European 400m hurdles record of 46.92 at the Diamond League meeting there.
In Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium on Monday, once again under the gaze of the world, Warholm defended his global crown in stunning fashion and once again it was on a Mondotrack WS surface.
'I said to Leif [Olav Alnes] I am going to dig deeper than I ever did. If my heart stops then you know I was happy while it happened.'
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) October 1, 2019
Karsten Warholm after defending his 400m hurdles title at the #WorldAthleticsChamps.
: https://t.co/Ylf6gbOAB3 pic.twitter.com/d4mOgrCrij
If the Norwegian didn’t fulfil the heightened expectations of reducing his own continental standard and perhaps even challenging the 27-year-old world record of 46.78 held by the USA’s Kevin Young since the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games – coincidentally also set on a Mondo track – it didn’t detract from what was a truly commanding performance in Doha, winning in 47.42 and beating a high-quality field missing none of his main rivals.
Into the bargain, the London record and Doha triumph makes him one of the favourites for the European Athlete of the Year which will be announced at the Golden Tracks award ceremony in Tallinn, Estonia on Saturday 26 October.
“To be honest, I don’t care about the world record. it was only about the gold medal tonight. If I had won the gold medal in one minute, I would still keep it,” joked a near-delirious Warholm after his victory.
“The world record doesn’t concern me. I never go out with the intention to break the world record. I go out to have fun and try to win the race. Today was all about that. For now, I am world champion and that’s all that counts.”
Mission accomplished for Karsten Warholm!#WorldAthleticsChampspic.twitter.com/sxwVz9pc26
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) September 30, 2019
Mondo created the unique pink track at Khalifa International Stadium for the championships nearly 700 rolls, or 17,000m2,, of its surface which is Greenguard Gold and so certified for its low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. The company is also currently installing a similar athletics track for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“Our goal is simple: we want to help athletes to improve and achieve their personal best. We are dedicated to ensuring that every athlete can improve their results and their performance, even if only by a tenth-of-a-second. This is why we listen to athletes and coaches and are constantly working on optimising our products, to help sportsmen and women everywhere achieve success,” said Mondo Sport & Flooring Director Maurizio Stroppiana.
Stroppiana was speaking on Sunday in Doha at the announcement that Mondo, a European Athletics Green Inspiration Partner, would continue their association with the sport’s global governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations – which is soon to be renamed World Athletics – until 2024, after first becoming involved with the IAAF in 1987.