In previous Olympic Games and world competitions, red tracks have been commonly used as a convention. However, at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, a blue track was used. It was on this blue track that the “Flying Man” Usain Bolt set world records for the men’s 100m and 200m. Since then, blue tracks have been increasingly used, and many stadiums and parks around the world have also adopted blue tracks. The 2016 Rio Olympics also featured a blue track.
The International Olympic Committee does not strictly regulate the color of the tracks. After consultation with the International Association of Athletics Federations and the International Olympic Broadcasting Services, the Paris Olympic Organizing Committee decided to use purple for this year’s Olympic track. The composition includes a light purple for the track area and a dark purple for the service area, with the turn area at the end of the track being gray.
From a color perspective, purple is a cold tone that can give people a sense of calm and composure. Moreover, purple also incorporates some of the warm tones of red, which can bring a sense of forward movement and expansion. Combining the passion of red with the calmness of blue can help athletes maintain a more balanced mood and be full of energy.
According to the design company of the track, the purple track used in the Olympics is also of high technological content. The track contains two layers: an upper layer that comes into contact with sports shoes and can drain water; and a lower layer that is softer, has specific-shaped air holes, and is compressible. The lower layer of the track can reduce the burden on athletes’ joints and prevent injuries.
According to the official statement from Paris: “This is mainly to provide a track that is different from what we have seen before, to maintain the creative approach that the organizing committee has maintained since its establishment, and to break the routine.” If you have watched the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, you may not be surprised by this statement. It really breaks the routine, and the specific effects can only be seen as we wait.