Paralympic Cycling

Paralympic Cycling – Track

Held across two disciplines, Road and Track, Cycling looks set to be one of the most popular sports at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Handcycling – for athletes with lower limb disabilities – was introduced at the Athens 2004 Games.

Key facts

Venue: Olympic Park – Velodrome
Dates: Thursday 30 August – Sunday 2 September 2012
Medals events: 18
Athletes: 225 – 155 men, 70 women (across Road and Track)

Paralympic Cycling was originally developed as a sport for blind athletes, who first competed using tandem bicycles. Technological advancements have since opened up the sport to a wider range of athletes; as a result, it is now the third largest sport on the Paralympic programme. At London 2012, athletes will race on both the road and the track in a series of events that should draw massive crowds.

The 50 medal events that make up the Paralympic Cycling competition feature athletes with a visual impairment, cerebral palsy, amputations or other physical disabilities competing on bicycles, tricycles, tandems and hand cycles.

The basics

At London 2012, there will be 18 Paralympic Track Cycling events (10 for men, seven for women and one mixed event), which variously test speed, endurance and teamwork.

Paralympic Track Cycling, past and present

The first Track Cycling races at the Paralympic Games took place at the Atlanta 1996 Games. At London 2012, when the programme will feature more medal events than at any previous Paralympic Games, the Track events will be held at the brand new Velodrome in the Olympic Park.

Jargon buster

– Road Race: For the Road Races, all riders start together, and the first to cross the finish line wins gold.
– Time Trial: The Road Cycling Time Trials differ from the Road Races in that the riders set off at intervals, and the winner is the rider with the fastest time over the course.

Get involved

Cycling is a great way to keep fit, as well as an environmentally friendly means of transport. British Cycling’s club development programme, called Go-Ride, is aimed at encouraging clubs to help young cyclists enjoy cycling in a safe, off-road environment. For more information on cycling, including details of clubs and events of all sorts, see the websites of British Cycling and the InternationalCycling Union.