When track and field inside Stade De France gets underway in Paris on August 2nd, the first thing millions of people around the world will notice is that the Olympic track is unlike any track they’ve ever seen. This one-of-a-kind purple colorway was selected to make the sport’s biggest stage feel unique from any other venue in the world, while also aligning with the creative direction of the Organizing Committee.

Here’s what you need to know:

– A lighter “lavender” color is used for the nine-lane track as well as the runway for the jumps. A darker purple is used for service areas on the perimeter of the track, as well as surrounding the throwing circles.

– Gray is used on the outside corners opposite the javelin and pole vault runways, harkening back to the ash-colored track from the last Olympics held in Paris, exactly a century ago.

– The total track surface amounts to 17,000 square meters.

– The track is manufactured by the Italian company Mondo, who have been official partners with World Athletics since 1987. This is the third track Mondo has built to be installed in Stade De France: the first being the original track from 1998, the second being made for the 2003 World Athletics Championships.

– Over 300 world records have been set on Mondo tracks, including two at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

– Along with consistently becoming higher- and higher-performing as a surface, the Olympic track in Paris is also the most sustainable one that Mondo has ever created. It is comprised of over 50% renewable and non-fossil materials.

– Times run on a purple track are considered legal by World Athletics, and come with no conversion.

– Olympic track and field action kicks off on August 1st with the 20km race walk finals for both the men and the women. In-stadium action begins on August 2nd.

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