Seven track cycling records broken at the Olympic Velodrome
A fast track serves up a feast of records on the first day of track cycling at Rio 2016
Caption: The beauty and organisation of the velodrome impressed spectators
The Olympic Velodrome opened its doors in style as the Rio 2016 track cycling competition got underway on Thursday (12 August). On the first day of competition, fans praised the beauty and comfort offered by the venue and the athletes seemed to like it even more as no fewer than seven records were broken on what experts have said is a very fast track.
One world record and six Olympic Games records were broken in one day, with France winning the first at the Velodrome - a bronze - by beating Australia with a time of 43.143 seconds in the men's team sprint third-place play-off.
Great Britain and New Zealand competed for the gold medal. Philip Hindes, Jason Kenny - who claimed his fourth Olympic gold - and Callum Skinner were victorious, winning the race and setting a new Olympic record of 42.440 seconds.
Earlier, the women's team pursuit world record was broken by Great Britain in the qualifying round with a time of 4:13.260. The Britishteam of Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker, Joanna Rowsell-Shand, and Laura Trott, finished ahead of the USA, Australia and Canada, amongst others. The final of the event is on Saturday.
Elinor Barker and Joanna Rowsell-Shand celebrate breaking a world record (Photo: Getty Images/Bryn Lennon)
Sweeping curves
The newly built Olympic Velodrome has impressed athletes and spectators alike. Cycling fan Fabio Guedes, from Sao Paulo said: "It's the first time I have been in a race of this kind and did not know that the curves of the track were so inclined."
Fabio swapped the tickets he had to the judo competitions for the opportunity to see the cyclists closely. He was happy with his decision and impressed with the venue, saying: "I think the arrangement of seats makest the audience comfortable."
The Marcano family from Venezuela (Rio 2016)
Other spectators in the crowd included the family of Venezuelan Cesar Marcano, who was competing on the track. Marcano's father, mother, wife and two children travelled from Miranda to cheer him on in the Velodrome and they were also pleased with their experience. Marcano's mother, Alley Sanchez said: "That was the only arena we visited but we found it all very beautiful and organised."
Track cycling resumes at the Olympic Velodrome today
Women's team sprint qualifications 4:00 PM
Men's sprint qualifications 4:14 PM
Men's team pursuit round 1 4:52 PM
Women's team sprint round 1 5:17 PM
Men's sprint: round of 32 5:30 PM
Women's team sprint finals Bronze medal race 6:00 PM
Women's team sprint finals Gold medal race 6:04 PM
Men's team pursuit finals 7th place race 6:20 PM
Men's team pursuit finals 5th place race 6:27 PM
Men's team pursuit Finals Bronze medal race 6:34 PM
Men's team pursuit Finals Gold medal race 6:42 PM
