Paris Olympics 2024 Track Cycling: Team Sprint Explained

The team sprint is one of the fastest and most thrilling events in Olympic cycling, showcasing incredible speed and coordination. Since its introduction in 2000, it has become a highlight of the Games, captivating audiences with its rapid pace and strategic execution.

In the men’s team sprint, three riders work together over three laps of the velodrome. The first rider, an expert in standing starts, propels the team from a standstill and pulls off at the end of the first lap. The second rider continues to accelerate for another lap before the final rider sprints to the finish line. The exchange between riders must occur within a 15-metre zone, demanding precision and timing.

The women’s event, added in 2012, involves two riders over two laps. The second rider starts her final sprint, accelerating towards the finish line in the 500-metre race.

Olympic History and Records

The team sprint debuted at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where French cyclists Florian Rousseau, Arnaud Tournant, and Laurent Gane triumphed over a young British squad. In 2004, the German team of Jens Fiedler, Stefan Nimke, and Renรฉ Wolff claimed gold, defeating the Japanese.

Britainโ€™s dominance began in 2008, with Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny leading the team to victory in Beijing and London 2012. Kenny continued to guide the team in Rio 2016. However, the Dutch trio of Jeffrey Hoogland, Harrie Lavreysen, and Roy van den Burg broke Britainโ€™s streak at Tokyo 2020, winning their countryโ€™s first track gold in 85 years and setting a new Olympic record of 41.169 seconds.

The womenโ€™s team sprint saw its first Olympic appearance in 2012, with the British duo of Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish disqualified due to a technicality. Germans Kristina Vogel and Miriam Welte took gold after the Chinese team was relegated. The latest record in this discipline is held by Bao Shanju and Zhong Tianshi of China, who set a time of 31.804 seconds in Tokyo.

Track-cycling-What-is-the-Team-Sprint

Competition Structure

The Olympic team sprint consists of three rounds: qualifying, the first round, and the medal finals. In the qualifying round, each team races against the clock to set the fastest possible time. The first round features head-to-head matchups based on qualifying times, with the top teams advancing to the medal rounds.

The two fastest teams from the first round compete for gold, while the third and fourth fastest race for bronze. This format ensures intense competition and showcases the best of each team’s abilities.

Current Records

The current men’s world record of 41.225 seconds was set by the Netherlands team at the 2020 World Championships. The women’s world record stands at 46.064 seconds, set by the German team in 2021. These records highlight the exceptional speed and coordination required to excel in the team sprint.

As the event continues to evolve, the team sprint remains a thrilling showcase of cycling talent, precision, and teamwork. The combination of explosive starts, seamless exchanges, and all-out sprints ensures that it will remain a favourite among both competitors and spectators.

Track sprint Kristina Vogel

Olympics Team Pursuit Past Winners

Menโ€™s Winners Table

YearHost CityGold MedallistTeam Members
2000SydneyFranceLaurent Ganรฉ, Florian Rousseau, Arnaud Tournant
2004AthensGermanyJens Fiedler, Stefan Nimke, Renรฉ Wolff
2008BeijingGreat BritainChris Hoy, Jason Kenny, Jamie Staff
2012LondonGreat BritainPhilip Hindes, Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny
2016Rio de JaneiroGreat BritainPhilip Hindes, Callum Skinner, Jason Kenny
2020TokyoNetherlandsJeffrey Hoogland, Harrie Lavreysen, Roy van den Berg, Matthijs Bรผchli

Women’s Winners Table

YearHost CityGold Medallist CountryTeam Members
2012LondonGermanyKristina Vogel, Miriam Welte
2016Rio de JaneiroChinaGong Jinjie, Zhong Tianshi
2020TokyoChinaBao Shanju, Zhong Tianshi