Track cycling test events in Rio have been postponed due to unlaid track at the velodrome, sparking fears the facilities will not be ready in time for the Olympic Games this summer.
The Aquece Rio International Track Cycling Challenge is due to be the first competition staged in the Rio Olympic Velodrome, and was initially supposed to be held between March 18 and 20.
It will however now be scheduled for between April 29 and May 1, as the velodrome’s construction has lagged behind other works for the Games, according to Inside The Games.
Organisers claimed that the velodrome was 76 per cent complete in December.
“Rio 2016 and the International Cycling Union (UCI) look forward to an exciting test event and will continue to work closely together in the preparation and planning for both the test event and the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Rio 2016 said in a statement.
“There is no impact on the Games-time competitions, with Olympic track cycling taking place from 11-16 August and Paralympic track cycling from 8-11 September.”
Just this week, Rio de Janeiro cancelled the construction contract for the Olympic Tennis Centre, less than seven months before the start of the Games.
Recently we reported how Olympic BMX hopefuls refused to ride a test event for the Rio 2016 Olympics, saying that the course was unsafe.
Liam Phillips, Britain's BMX Supercross double World Cup winner, was one of several riders to decide not to compete, saying that some of the jumps were too dangerous.
He wrote on instagram: "We shouldn't have to 'race' on such sub-standard tracks."
Philips said: "Although I feel the sport took a step backwards with the riders refusing to ride, it was extremely necessary for the riders' safety.
"We, more than anyone else, want a platform to showcase the sport of BMX."
The course was designed by Tom Ritzenthaler, who designed the last two Olympic courses in Beijing and London.
Phillips lost out at the 2012 London Games. He got a great start but fell away after one of his feet unclipped and was caught up in a crash as he drifted back through the field.
“I've defied all expectation to be here let alone be a contender, so I should be pleased with my performance even though I’m disappointed now,” he reflected at the time.
“It was the best start of my life, and that’s what you aim to do at the Olympics. But I overshot the second jump, and probably my first too - that’s how fast I came out of the gate.”
None?? Shouldnt the costs be paid by the driver, the employer (or their insurers) who lost in court? (or am i looking at it the wrong way?)...
I think you are wrong in assuming size = bad. However since DCRainmaker has just torn it to pieces in his review you are probably right on all...
Is it just me that's seeing black sleeves covered in chalk then?...
I'd venture to suggest that people who take part in sport typically buy at least as much overpriced and probably unnecessary crap as anyone else....
I've submitted a few clips to Avon & Somerset Police; got the usual 'driver has been served a letter/fixed penalty/Notice to Prosecute'. In...
I think they're just frustrated that some virus keeps replacing all their carefully crafted cogent comments with 'blah blah blah'.
Looking at the sketches, I wonder: Where is that bikelane meant to be???
I've been occasionally mounting my phone on my handlebars recently as I had a need to know where I was going when, for example, if I was in...
Perhaps with that moniker you are Beezlebub and so unfamiliar with the concept of winter? This is a season of the year defined by the mechanics of...
Parking row explodes as resident protesting new double yellow lines is 'rammed' by council worker...