BMX & Mountain Biking at the Paris 2024 Olympics
Cycling has been a cornerstone of the Olympic Games since the inception of the modern Olympics in 1896. Over the years, the sport has evolved, encompassing various disciplines that test speed, endurance, strategy, and technical skills. The Paris 2024 Olympics continue this rich tradition, and this guide delves into BMX and Mountain biking and its history but you can read more road cycling events in our other Olympic cycling blogpost.
Olympic BMX Cycling events
There are 2 BMX events at the Paris 2024 Olympics; BMX racing and BMX freestyle. The latter was introduced in Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games whilst the BMX racing began in Beijing 2008. Both events have quickly gained popularity, known for their dynamic and exciting nature.
What is BMX Racing
BMX racing is a short, intense race on a dirt track with jumps, banked turns, and obstacles. Riders compete three times in heats, with the top finishers advancing to the finals. The races are approximately 400 meters long, with six riders in each heat. The first rider to cross the finish line wins 1 point, the second rider 2 points and so on and so forth, meaning the riders are aiming for as few points as possible to advance to the semi finals.
The top 12 riders enter the semi-finals, with the remaining riders competing again for the last 4 places in the semi-finals. The semi-finals are raced again in heats and the top 8 riders enter the final for a one-off race to win.
What is BMX Freestyle?
BMX freestyle is a judged event where riders perform tricks and stunts on a park course with ramps, walls, and jumps. Riders have 2 x 60 seconds chances to perform their routine, and judges score based on difficulty, execution, and style. An average score is taken from both turns and the top 9 riders advance to the final where the best score is taken from each rider. The highest total score wins, showcasing the creativity and athleticism of the riders.
What are the Olympic Mountain Biking events at Paris 2024?
Mountain biking began its debut at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, 100 years after road and track cycling. Although there are many disciplines to Mountain biking, cross country is the only one in the Olympics.
There are both men’s and women’s cross country mountain bike races.
95% of the course in Paris is made up of existing trails in the region, in part to protect the biodiversity of the land by not building new infrastructure.
What is Mountain Bike Cross-Country?
Mountain biking, specifically cross-country, is a mass-start race over rough terrain, featuring technical descents, climbs, and obstacles. The course is a 4.4 km per lap, and the number of laps is not decided until the afternoon before the first race day. Riders must complete a set number of laps, with the first to cross the finish line winning. If any rider is lapped, they are automatically eliminated.
Technical assistance zones are available for repairs and support, making this event a true test of endurance and technical skill.
History of Mountain Biking in the Olympics
Mountain biking made its Olympic debut in 1996 in Atlanta. It has become a highlight of the Games, known for its thrilling combination of endurance and technical prowess, and continues to attract a growing number of fans and participants.