Phil Liggett on Olympic Track events

[3wheeler]

I Would like to See a 80 - 100 km City Center Crit added to the Road Program . That would be a Juicy Affair...

 

[VO2 Max]

The question is what exactly are the UCI doing?? With cycling it's always one-in-one-out; you don't get that with other sports - boxing added three new female categories this time but only lost 1 male category, so why does cycling lose a whole load like the IP, points & madison to make way for our gender parity? How many swimming events had to go when the open water marathon was added - oh yeah, none. So why does the 1km have to go to make way for the BMX? Swimming hasn't lost any events since 1920, male athletics lost a few walking distances in the early 20th C and some wacky stuff like 2-handed javelin throw but nothing major since metrication. Cycling doesn't seem to be standing up for itself by comparison.

 

[abbaskip]

The question is what exactly are the UCI doing?? With cycling it's always one-in-one-out; you don't get that with other sports - boxing added three new female categories this time but only lost 1 male category, so why does cycling lose a whole load like the IP, points & madison to make way for our gender parity? How many swimming events had to go when the open water marathon was added - oh yeah, none. So why does the 1km have to go to make way for the BMX? Swimming hasn't lost any events since 1920, male athletics lost a few walking distances in the early 20th C and some wacky stuff like 2-handed javelin throw but nothing major since metrication. Cycling doesn't seem to be standing up for itself by comparison.

Yeah, it seems the IOC play hard ball a bit with the UCI, and the UCI just stand there and take it. Ridiculous that they're talking about adding just ONE event for Rio (Points or Individual Pursuit it seems). And not getting any further rider allocations for it (so a rider from the Teams Pursuit/Omnium will need to take part).

I also hate this theory that events like the madison are too confusing for the general public. There are LOADS of niche events in the Olympic Games that people don't fully understand. Why can't cycling have some too?

The madison isn't there because women don't compete in it. Simple.

Points Race, Individual Pursuit, Time Trial and Madison should all be in the Olympics.

 

[avanti]

...............Constantly referring to Commisaires as referees? what's that about Phil? maybe it's time to up the meds or retire.

Remember he is talking to viewers who are not cognizant with bicycle racing. I often use "referee" when discussing cycling with non-cyclists (and I used to be an USCF official).

 

[avanti]

.............................
The 1km time trial has been a track olympic event since day 0, and now they've taken it out?

The 1km has only been an event since 1928; before that the distance was optionally 333m, 603m, or 1/4 mile.

 

[Hawkwood]

The 1km has only been an event since 1928; before that the distance was optionally 333m, 603m, or 1/4 mile.

The kilo was the only event the British public understood!

 

[Catwhoorg]

I'd love a real elimination race for a medal.

Now THAT would be worthy of prime time TV.
Easy to understand and constant action.

Also a bit of a lottery so not a Team GB near certainty, which could make it attractive to the powers that be.

 

[Hawkwood]

I'd love a real elimination race for a medal.

Now THAT would be worthy of prime time TV.
Easy to understand and constant action.

Also a bit of a lottery so not a Team GB near certainty, which could make it attractive to the powers that be.

It needs to fit in with what Pat wants. He hasn't looked at all happy this week giving out flowers to British gold medal winners.

 

[Catwhoorg]

I joked about this the other day, the UCI to revise the eligibility rules.

Teams may enter one rider or team per event, expect for team GB who may enter one male and one female rider total.

and they still will win the TP

 

[avanti]

Plus there appear to be multiple swimmers from the same country for each distance/stroke, while in track cycling it's just one per country for each event.

Same for T&F: I happened to see the 400-meter mens hurdles on TV last night; there were three USA competitors out of a field of eight finalists.

 

[ingsve]

I wonder how long it will take for athletics to lose any events in the Olympics. Even swimming that has a priviledged role in the olympics has had to cut events but athletics seems to be untouchable. Do we really need both 5000 and 10000 meters for example? And what about two walking events? If atheletics had less influence than today I'm sure they would have gotten rid of 200m, 800m and 5000m a long time ago.

 

[Cervelo77]

The velodrome will be sitting idle for over a week between the opening and closing ceremonies.

Its not like having some other events would actually be difficult to schedule

This is what I don't understand. If there is time to hold more events, why not?

 

[BroDeal]

This is why BMX should not be in the Olympics:

"In one race Thursday, a French rider collided with American David Herman entering the first turn and together they wiped out nearly the entire field. New Zealand's Marc Willers cruised to victory, the only rider still on his bike."