Olympic training track claimed to be 'world's fastest'

University of Oregon - Polyurethane and butyl rubber are the key ingredients in a running track upon which US-based olympic hopefuls will train.

Bayer MaterialScience, which supplies the polyurethane, said Beynon Sports Surfaces of Hunt Valley, Maryland has installed the track at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, which is the location for next summer's 2008 Olympic track and field trials for US athletes.

According to Beynon, this track is designed to be the fastest track surface in the world. Beynon said, "It features maximum return of energy and superior shock absorption, thanks to a bio-engineered force reduction layer of butyl rubber and full-depth color polyurethane, which allows for daily training without stress injuries. The track is finished with a custom-made surface consisting of embedded EPDM granules, which allow for advanced traction."

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Press release from BMS

Pictures of sports tracks from Beynon (The Oregon track is featured as slide 17 of 54)