Cycling is a popular sport as well as a popular way of getting around.
There are cycling events and races all over the world.
There are four cycling events in the Olympic Games.
They are road, track, mountain biking and BMX.
Cycling first became an Olympic event in 1896, when there was a road race and five track events. Women’s cycling was added in 1984.
Look at a timeline about the development of bicycles
https://www.icebike.org/58-milestones-from-bicycle-history-you-must-know/
Track events
Cyclists racing at a velodrome ©Getty
These races are held indoors on a sloping track called a velodrome. The bikes used in track events have only one gear and no brakes.
In track events, the racing cyclists go around the velodrome many times. Each time they go around the velodrome is a lap.
In some events, two cyclists or two teams race each other. They start at opposite sides of the track and try to catch up with each other. In some track events the cyclists race for 1000 metres and the fastest one wins.
Road Events
Women competitors in a road race event ©iStock
These races are on public roads. The bikes used in road races can have up to 14 gears and brakes. Male cyclists ride about 250 kilometres and female cyclist race over 130 kilometres.
Watch a video about road events at the Olympics.
Read about the road cycling events at the Paris 2024 game
Mountain bike racing
Racers head up the hills in a mountain bike race. ©iStock
Mountain bike racing was added to the Olympic Games at Atlanta in 1996.
In Tokyo 2020 men raced over 250 kilometres and women over 130 kilometres.
Mountain bike race ©iStock
Mountain bikes are different from road and track bikes. They are heavier. The riders are on a rough track with many hills and turns.
Did you know? While racing, mountain bike riders must make all repairs to their bikes themselves.
It’s a good idea to get information from more than one source!
Read facts about the history of Olympic cycling events
https://kids.kiddle.co/Cycling_at_the_Summer_Olympics
Read about Australian cyclists in Olympic events
https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/newsroom/2021/07/15/bikes-at-the-olympics/
