In a dramatic u-turn, cycling’s governing body the UCI, may now amend the Olympic track cycling programme for London 2012 to balance the number of events open to both men and women.
As it currently stands the track cycling events are divided 7-3 in the men’s favour.
But ever since the Beijing games, Olympic sprint champion Victoria Pendleton has been arguing the case to even up the split to 5-5, and it looks like her wish may now be granted.
The IOC had told the UCI that while they could not add any extra events to the calendar, they should be encouraged to redress the balance.
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This new proposal will see both the Madison and the individual pursuit removed from the schedule. Both these events were won by Britons, Bradley Wiggins and Rebecca Romero, in Beijing.
It is now proposed that men and women will both compete in the following events: Individual Sprint, Team Sprint, Team Pursuit, Keirin and Omnium. This would allow Pendelton to go for her goal of triple gold at 2012.
Britain’s women are the current Team Pursuit world champions, but this event has never featured in the Olympics.
The Omnium is often described as the pentathlon of cycling. It consists of the following five events: 200m flying time trial, 5km scratch race, 3km individual pursuit, 15km points race and 1km time trial. Cyclists must be at good at sprinting, time-trialling and bunched racing. It is thought this event would become the showpiece of the cycling events attracting some of the biggest names in the sport.
“It’s always a real shame to lose some events, some in particular for example the Madison and individual pursuit are such classics,” says Dave Brailsford, the GB Performance director ” but I think it’s exciting, innovative and it brings parity from a gender perspective. We will have to change our strategy for 2012 but we are already looking at what we are doing. I like it.”
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
