BMX right for the Olympics?

I watched SBS's coverage of the BMX world championships last night and found myself questioning the legitimacy of BMX as an Olympic sport.

Two things irk me about BMX, it is, essentially, a race for the first corner, first one out of the first corner wins. Secondly the strongest, most tactical, best bike handling rider doesn't necessarily win. Some idiot can come into the corner far too hot and take out those that have positioned themselves well, effectively ruining their race (a Bradbury incident).

The event that it displaced was the 1km time trial (500m for women), in my opinion, an event with more focus on the capabilities of the athlete and without the pure luck component.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Mills on May 28, 2012 at 20:47

Or in the case of Caroline Buchanan, a world MTB champion who is now a world BMX champion too.

Permalink Reply by Lee-Anne on May 28, 2012 at 18:51

Im surprised that the bmx track is only used for one event, why don't have make enduro bmx or team? (could they?)

Permalink Reply by Dstone on May 28, 2012 at 19:18

Thats a top idea. Run it like the maddison!

Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on May 28, 2012 at 19:42

It deserves to be there as much as most other sports. Would I watch it, No. When it comes on Cycling Central I go and make a cuppa but then I don't watch the track cycling either.

If I'm honest I think any sport that doesn't have the Olympics as its ultimate prize doesn't belong there. Soccer has the world cup, road cycling the TdF, Tennis the Grand Slams etc. 

Permalink Reply by Lee-Anne on May 28, 2012 at 21:15

If I'm honest I think any sport that doesn't have the Olympics as its ultimate prize doesn't belong there. Soccer has the world cup, road cycling the TdF, Tennis the Grand Slams etc.

here here!

And Patrick, shame on you for going to make a cuppa while track is on CC.... while you are there though could you make me one? as i wont be moving from the TV :-D

Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on May 28, 2012 at 22:12

Is this more of the only road bikes are worthwhile group-think that is pervasive on this site?

BMX is a different sport and no doubt has strategies and tactics of its own.

So are you saying it should be banned because you don't do it?

perhaps all cycling should be removed from the Olympics after all bicycles are far too modern to have been used in ancient Greece.

Even synchronised swimming I would imagine would be quite challenging.

Perhaps the real question is how does having a sport included detract from other sports?

Permalink Reply by Brendan Clover on May 28, 2012 at 23:08
Certainly not Don, any form of cycling is great in my books, yes I prefer watching one day road races with short but steep preferably cobbled climbs, however if it's on TV and involves push bikes, I'll watch it.

And I'm certainly not saying BMX should be banned.

My point of view was solely from the aspect of riders having such a large impact on other riders' chances and that the race is all but decided in the first 5 - 10s of a 30s event, as I witnessed multiple times during the coverage of the world champs.

When BMX was included in the Olympics, it was at the expense of another cycling event, I still don't understand why that had to be, BMX doesn't impact on the track schedule so why couldn't both be included. But if only one is to be included should that event not be the one that best pits one athlete against another, I'm questioning whether BMX best does this. Personally I would have removed the road race, that's hardly fair when the number of athletes allowed to compete for each country is dependent upon world rankings derived from the pro peleton events.
Permalink Reply by Gemma K on May 28, 2012 at 23:10

that's like saying the keirin shouldn't be in the olympics.

Permalink Reply by Stig of The Dump on May 30, 2012 at 2:15

They've got to do something to get the Nitro Circus kids into the olympics, next it will be UFC, then poledancing...

 /snob mode off 

 actually I'm not that fussed, it's just not my cup of tea 

Permalink Reply by Daniel Lynch on May 31, 2012 at 20:58

In 2008 at the Beijing Olympics I was of a similar opinion to you, Brendan, however I was also not cycling at that point.

Watching Cycling Central the other day I was supremely impressed by the sheer power and aggression of those riders; the bike is an extension of their body!

I have certainly changed my mind in regards to that form of cycling; however I think that mountain/downhilling should also be included, if they include BMX. To my knowledge, this is not the case?

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on May 31, 2012 at 21:25

Cross country mountain biking has been in the Olympics since Sydney downhill MTB ing is not yet in. I read an article that a lot of the worlds prominent downhillers are aiming at competing in London in the BMX this year. Take a lot of work to beat our Sam. Hope that helps

Permalink Reply by Doddsy on July 20, 2012 at 20:28

Check out the Olympic BMX track. 

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