World Para Athletics Championships: Mondo Tracks to Be Ready by September 1

Preparations for the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi are on track, with the installation of Mondo tracks at the main stadium and training facilities expected to be completed by September 1, said Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) President Devendra Jhajharia.

The championships, scheduled from September 27 to October 5 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, mark India’s debut as host for this prestigious global para athletics event. Both the competition and training tracks have been resurfaced with Mondo material to meet international standards. “We have finished 95% of the groundwork for the Mondo tracks at both venues. The base is ready, and laying the Mondo surface is underway. Everything should be completed by September 1,” Jhajharia told PTI.

He added that preparations for athlete accommodation, transport, and other logistics are progressing smoothly. “Our objective is to deliver a world-class, para-friendly championship and bolster India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics.” World Athletics officials will inspect the tracks post-completion for certification, which is expected to be a swift process. Having Mondo surfaces for both competition and training is a significant upgrade, benefiting all athletes.

Jhajharia, a celebrated para javelin gold medalist, emphasized that the event will be fully accessible, with around 100 para-friendly buses arranged and space for 500 wheelchairs at the stadium stands. This edition is set to feature a record number of participating nations, with 107 countries confirmed—the highest ever for the championships. Top para athletics countries including China, Brazil, and Great Britain will compete. Final athlete entries will be confirmed after the August 12 deadline.

India will also send its largest contingent, expected to include around 100 athletes, more than double the 40 athletes sent to the last championships in Japan. The PCI has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the event and is awaiting his response. Jhajharia highlighted Modi’s unwavering support for para sports as a source of inspiration.

On medal prospects, Jhajharia is optimistic India will exceed its previous haul of 17 medals and aims for a top-five finish. Athletes like Sumit Antil are training hard with hopes of defending titles and breaking world records on home ground. Training is ongoing across multiple centers in India and abroad, with full backing from the government and PCI to ensure athletes have the best environment to succeed.