Regupol sports surfaces manufacturer BSW GmbH has extended their contract with Usain Bolt for the next two years, with the Jamaican superstar continuing to endorse the company’s well-known, high quality product.
As part of the agreement, BSW has committed to the maintenance of the track at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Kingston, Jamaica. BSW had erected a Regupol track in Jamaica in spring 2010 following Usain Bolt’s brilliant performance in the 100-metre and 200-metre events on the Regupol track at the Berlin Olympic Stadium during the Athletic World Championships 2009.
Peter Breuer, BSW’s Director of Export commented that Bolt and his sprint comrades as well as legendary coach Glen Mills were still enthusiastic about the quality of the Regupol track surface, which was as elastic and user-friendly as it was six years ago.
However, the daily training of top athletes with their razor-blade-like spikes leaves the track surface damaged while the extreme Caribbean climate also causes wear. A BSW technician travels to Jamaica each year to carry out patches and repairs on the track surface. This is done by grinding down to the shock pad and filling with a high quality Regupur polyurethane compound and EPDM granules, with the patched areas indistinguishable in physical properties from the original. The Regupol shock pad, the heart of the track system, does not change its properties, even under these harsh conditions.
According to Breuer, the perfect condition of the track surface over many years is appreciated by coach Glen and his athletes as the sprinters can do speed training every day. Previously, the athletes had to do their training on the concrete-hard track of another manufacturer, resulting in joint and shin pain, and even frequent training injuries. In those conditions, the coach had restricted their speed training to once or twice a week.
Following the installation of the Regupol track surface, the athletes are able to do all the speed training required to perform on the big day.
Image: Usain Bolt with Peter Breuer
