Armstrong Has Large Share of Olympics Flooring

Lancaster, PA, Aug. 12, 2008--Armstrong flooring products are featured in 12 Olympic venues including the Bird’s Nest – the innovative main arena – the aquatic center, nicknamed the Water Cube, and the Basketball Gymnasium.

Two of the most notable buildings – the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube – are getting media attention because of their original design.

The landmark National Stadium, dubbed the Bird’s Nest, is the main arena. It represents the traditional Chinese relationship with nature – it resembles a bird’s nest from the outside – combined with the contemporary spirit of this year’s Olympics.

Inside the Bird’s Nest, 100,000 spectators will walk on Armstrong flooring.

Designers considered many flooring materials for the Bird’s Nest main lobby including epoxy, linoleum and PVC. Linoleum excelled in both fire and environmental performance.

“Although a competitor’s product was lower priced, Armstrong Marmorette linoleum won the job because of the company’s reputation for quality and service excellence,” says Greg Gottlieb, senior vice president and managing director – Asia/Pacific.

The futuristic National Aquatics Center, called the Water Cube,
features Armstrong Marmorette linoleum. Again, linoleum scored big in tests for performance and aesthetics.

The Basketball Gymnasium was built with environmental conservation in mind and Armstrong’s Marmorette linoleum was installed.