Cycling Track at the 1996 Summer Olympics

There were many changes to the cycling program in 1996. Probably the biggest one was that professionals from the pro cycling tour were declared eligible to ride in the Olympics, although this mostly affected road cycling. Mountain biking was also added as a new cycling discipline in 1996.

The men’s track program did not change, consisting of the five events held since 1984 – kilometre time trial, match sprint, individual pursuit, team pursuit, and points race; but the women added a third track event, the points race joining the match sprint and individual pursuit. All the track events took place at the Stone Mountain Velodrome, an outdoor velodrome with a 250.0 metre track made of a wood/polyester laminate. Since 1976, save for the American Olympics of 1984 and 1996, and Barcelona in 1992, the Olympic velodrome has been covered.

German Jens Fiedler defended his title in the men’s match sprint. The other seven track events were split between France, which won four, and Italy, who won three. France’s Florian Rousseau won the kilometre time trial. He would return in 2000 and win three medals and two golds in an expanded track cycling program. His countrywoman, Félicia Ballanger, won the women’s match sprint and in 2000 would defend that title and win the inaugural 500 metre time trial for women.