New World Record set on Beynon Sports BSS 2000 during U.S. Olympic Trials

HUNTS VALLEY, MD, June 28, 2012 (Press-News.org) As the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials at the University of Oregon's famed Hayward Field reach the halfway point, there are two unmistakable constants: it is going to be cold and wet, and the athletes will continue to run fast times on the state-of-the-art BSS 2000 by Beynon Sports.

The BSS 2000 is an Olympic caliber running surface that gives athletes the ultimate edge when it comes to competitive performance. It has not only been able to stand up to the adverse weather conditions, but it has also provided the resilient response and maximum energy return that the athletes need to shatter records.

Ashton Eaton broke the world record in the Decathlon in front of more than 20,000 cheering fans, and he did so in mostly wet and cold conditions. Eaton is following in the footsteps of American greats, Bruce Jenner, Dan O'Brien, and Rafer Johnson, by making the Decathlon a must-see event at the Olympic Games in London later this summer.

"The most impressive thing was that he kept up his intensity in this weather," O'Brien said. "I certainly didn't think he could break the world record when you see the rain coming down like this." Dan O'Brien, former U.S. decathlete and current NBC commentator.

Growing up in nearby Bend and as a former Oregon Duck, Eaton has always known and competed in similar weather conditions, a fact that may have given him a psychological edge over his competitors, and could give him an edge when he lands in notoriously cold and wet London as the world record holder.

"It's kind of like, 'Rain, okay, whatever,'" Eaton said. "As a decathlete, you take pride in saying, 'The elements, I'm not going to let them affect me. It's just the 11th event. Another thing you have to fight through.'" Ashton Eaton, World Record Holder, Decathlon.

The men's and women's 100m finals were full of excitement as Justin Gatlin continued his road to redemption following his suspension in 2006, and Tyson Gay, who was running in only his second race of the year and is continuing to recover from hip surgery last year, finished first and second respectively. The top five finishers all ran under 10 seconds. Gatlin ran an impressive 9.80 followed closely by Gay at 9.86 and, in what can be considered a bit of a surprise, 23 year old Ryan Bailey took third place and earned a spot on the Olympic team with a strong time of 9.93.

In the women's 100m final, training partners Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh finished in a dead heat for third place and the last U.S. spot for London. In a nearly unheard of feat they each leaned across the finish line in 11.068 seconds Saturday, truly making it a photo finish. The tie breaker to determine who will earn the final spot will either be a run-off between the two athletes or a coin toss. With the two training partners focusing on their upcoming races the decision of what they want to do about the 100m results will come down to the wire.

About Beynon Sports

Beynon Sports Surfaces was founded by John T. Beynon with the vision of creating the highest performing synthetic surfaces designed for speed and competition, as well as daily training. Beynon's premier track and field surfaces are found in the world's most renowned athletic facilities, carrying some of the greatest champions to record-breaking times. In the spring of 2008, Beynon Sports Surfaces joined the Tarkett Sports family, combining the most recognized and prestigious name in the artificial turf market in FieldTurf with the celebrated Beynon Sports Surfaces' branded track and field, fieldhouse, and gymnasium surfacing systems. The result is a global firm with unmatched financial strength and a dedication to innovation, customer service, and excellence. Through this partnership, clients receive unprecedented service, quality, and support as well as the financial backing to stand behind the products manufactured and installed.

Beynon Sports is part of Tarkett Sports, a Division of the Tarkett Group. Tarkett Sports is the largest entity in the sports and landscape surfacing industries. Included within the Tarkett Sports portfolio is the world-renowned FieldTurf brand of artificial turf along with an impressive range of performance sports flooring products. This product range includes: synthetic and hardwood basketball; volleyball and gymnasium flooring; squash and racquetball courts; floor protection and covering systems; weight room flooring; and high performance indoor and outdoor running tracks. All Tarkett Sports surfaces are developed, produced and installed with a concentration on sustainability and a commitment to protecting the environment, providing additional LEED contribution opportunities for customers. The company calls this focus on sustainability and the environment 'Environmental Intelligence' and all company personnel strive to exemplify this philosophy in all aspects of the business.

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