Sprint, Men

The last two World Champions, Bill Huck (1990) and Jens Fiedler (1991), were both from Germany, but only one could compete in Barcelona in this event, and Huck was the odd man out. Fiedler led the qualifying over Australia’s Gary Neiwand with Canadian Curt Harnett third, and eventually those three would mount the podium in the same positions. All three made it to the semis without losing a race. There Fiedler dispatched Italy’s Roberto Chiappa, while Neiwand defeated Harnett in two straight. In the final, Fiedler won the first race by mere centimeters, closing quickly to overtake Neiwand at the line. In the second race, Fiedler dropped from the top of the banking at the beginning of the last lap, but Neiwand overtook him at the line. However, he was disqualified for dangerous riding and Fiedler was the gold medalist. Fiedler would turn professional and had a long, successful pro career. He competed at the Olympics thru 2004, eventually winning five medals. He would defend this title in 1996 and win gold in the team sprint in 2004. At the World Championships he won 13 medals and four titles between 1991 and 2003.