Hardwood Floors October/November 2024

Wood Stock

Flindt takes us through the details of the flooring, adding that Junckers’ Pro Complete 44 system was ideal for the job since it is quick to install and dismantle, highly durable, and offers excellent shock absorption. “The floor is our Pro Complete 44 Portable Sports Floor system, consisting of 7/8” (22 mm) solid hardwood strips preassembled into lightweight, hand-carried panels,” he says. “For the tournament, the wood species was press-dried beech, which offers superior stability and resistance to wear. We provided two tournament floors and four warm-up courts, totaling just over 34,500 square feet. The finish used was Junckers

The floors were manufactured in Junckers’ Denmark factory. The assembly, painting, and finishing took about three weeks. Preparations are not a buzzer-beater, though; they began almost a year in advance.

HP800 Sport, a high-performance polyurethane lacquer approved and officially certified by FIBA.” To help ensure a successful installation, both Bendixen and Flindt traveled to Paris. They brought along drawings of the court and a plan that included details such as where to place the benches for substitutions and television cameras. “The organizers need to make sure the subfloors meet our requirements and specs, and then there’s the whole timing of it,” shares Flindt. “In Paris, the Bercy Arena was transformed from gymnastics to basketball in 16 hours. Things must be timed just right to achieve that, because the whole arena was stripped down and there was a whole new setup with our floors, referee tables, logos – you name it.” Junckers had a team of technicians onsite in Paris throughout the games in case any maintenance needs arose. Fortunately, Flindt says nothing came up and the floors performed exactly as they should.

“It was a fantastic experience seeing our floors receive such positive feedback and perform flawlessly,” he recalls. “The professionalism and dedication of everyone involved in the Paris Olympics created a supportive and upbeat atmosphere, even under pressure. During the night when we transformed the Bercy Arena, people were still positive and hardworking at 3:00 a.m.” As you might expect, the Olympic flooring ignited enthusiasm throughout the Junckers team while they worked to make this project a slam dunk. “Seeing the Olympic rings on our products evokes tremendous emotion. It makes you realize that this is more than a floor – it’s the stage for one of the most anticipated tournaments of the Olympics,” says Bendixen. “The finished product is not only a testament to our technical capabilities, but also reflects our commitment to excellence and our strategic focus on sports. Naturally, there’s a huge sense of pride associated with that.” A gold medal experience for all involved, including Team USA’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.

hardwood floors hardwoodfloorsmag.com

14