(Cycling, Track)

Track cycling is a form of bicycle racing usually held on specially-built banked tracks or velodromes [but many events are held at older velodromes where the track banking is relatively shallow].

Bicycles used for track cycling are specially designed for the purpose. Unlike bicycles used for road riding, they lack multiple gears and brakes, having a single 'fixed' wheel [ie, no free-wheel]. They usually have lightweight frames, sometimes constructed from expensive materials with high strength-to-mass ratios like carbon fibre. Tyres and wheels are narrow, with the tyres generally inflated to pressures well beyond those used in road cycling in an effort to minimise the "rolling resistance" caused by friction.

Following events are on the programe of the Olypmic games:

. 1km time trial Men

. 500m time trial Women

. individual pursuit Men

. individual pursuit Women

. keirin Men

. madison Men

. olympic sprint Men

. points race Men

. points race Women

. sprint Men

. sprint Women

. team pursuit (4000m) Men