Leaping to the top with Polytan
On 20th January 2024, more than 2,500 spectators watched the Sparkassen Indoor Meeting of LG Olympia Dortmund and were not disappointed. There, believe it or not, they experienced five world bests for this year so far, and another big surprise to boot.
In the women’s long jump competition, Olympic medallist Malaika Mihambo made her eagerly awaited comeback, after being injured last July. However, the competition in Dortmund was not won by Mihambo, but by Laura Raquel Müller, who upped her performance to an impressive 6.81 metres and, in doing so, jumped farther than any other athlete worldwide in this indoor season so far. This accomplishment was made on a Polytan surface: Rekortan PUR in brick red.
In other words, this success does not come by chance. Laura Raquel Müller is justifiably acclaimed as a standout talent on the German athletics scene. The 19-year-old from the East Franconian district of Hohenlohe specialises in the disciplines of sprinting and long jump. Her prior record is extremely impressive: five-time German sprint and long jump champion at U16, U18 and U20 level, she also came fourth in the U20 European Championships 2021 in Tallinn and claimed bronze at the U20 European Championships 2023 in Jerusalem.
In addition, the German Athletics Association has appointed to Laura Raquel Müller to the “prospective squad” for long jump, an important step towards her next big goal: the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Being part of the prospective squad grants the ambitious young athlete exclusive access to training facilities like the Olympic Training Centre in Stuttgart. There, she not only trains alongside other elite athletes, but receives unparalleled support. She is also supported by the German Sports Aid Foundation and sponsors from the business world. Since 2023, the long jumper and sprinter is a Polytan brand ambassador as well.
There’s a good reason for this. Laura Raquel Müller not only achieved her latest success in Dortmund in connection with the sports surface specialist, but also trains primarily on Polytan surfaces: both the running track in Stuttgart and the track at her home club, TSG Öhringen, are made by Polytan. Among her biggest supporters are her family, especially her father, who is currently her home trainer and constant companion at every competition. Laura’s grandmother, with whom spent a significant part of her childhood, is also an important source of mental support: “Whatever I do, she is always proud of me.” We are proud to support Laura Raquel Müller with our surfaces on her way to the top and wish her every success! The next opportunity to support her will be at the indoor athletics meetings ISTAF INDOOR Düsseldorf and ISTAF INDOOR Berlin.
