History

Track cycling is thought to have originated around 1870. The sport started when banked,
quarter-mile long loops of wooden track were built in the late 19th century for cycling races.
There are 12 different events, and the races are held in a bowl-shaped arena, called a
velodrome, that is 250 meters (820 feet) round (though sizes can vary from track to track), with
racers riding counterclockwise and achieving top speeds above 70km per hour.

Who invented the track bicycle?

Track bikes are bicycles optimized for racing at a velodrome or an outdoor track. Unlike road
bikes, the track bike is a fixed-gear with a single gear ratio, and without a freewheel or brakes.
They are meant to be ridden over smooth tracks, their tires are narrow and inflated to high
pressure reducing rolling resistance. Additionally, the bikes must comply with UCI Equipment
Regulations. The first bicycle prototype was created by German nobleman Karl Von Drais in
1817, who invented a vehicle made of wood with two wheels that was supposed to make it
easier for one to move around, which resembles a bicycle.

When did track cycling become an Olympic sport?

Track cycling has been part of the Olympic Games since 1896, when the city of Athens hosted
the first modern era competition, with the exception of the 1912 Games in Stockholm, when only
the road race was staged. Between 1924 and 1992, the range of events was generally as
follows: sprint, time trial over one kilometer, tandem and team pursuit. The individual pursuit
was added to the programme of the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and the tandem was
dropped after the 1972 Games in Munich. The first women’s track events were introduced in
Seoul 1988.

Today, there are six track events at the Olympics, and they can be categorized as either
endurance or sprint. Sprint events consist of sprint, team sprint. And keirin. Meanwhile,
endurance events consist of team pursuit, omnium, and madison. Every discipline uses a
different combination of teamwork, technique, speed, and strategy. Changes to the Olympic
programme have seen men's and women's individual pursuit and points race, and men's
Madison removed. Team sprint, Team pursuit and Keirin have been added, as has Omnium (a
six discipline event) which has been introduced for both men and women.