While legend says that Hercules founded the games after completing the 12 labors, the first ever recorded Olympics occurred in Greece in 776 B.C. Only one event was held: a 192 meter run. From this point on, the games occurred every fourth August in Olympia as part of a religious festival to honor the Greek God Zeus. Slowly, the games grew and different events, such as Chariot Racing, were added. However, after the Roman Empire conquered Greece, popularity began to decline, and the Olympics were eventually banned in 393 A.D.
It was not until the late 1800s that the Olympics made a comeback. The International Olympic Committee was created in 1894, and the first modern Olympics was held in Athens only 2 years later. It had 12 participating countries and 280 participants. The first Olympic cycling events debuted this year and had events in both track and road cycling disciplines. However, out of the two, track-cycling events were more popular, characterized by sprint, time trial, and individual pursuit events.
The Olympics truly took off as a hit during the 1924 Paris games, and as the Olympic Games evolved, so did its cycling program. Women were first allowed to participate in the Olympics in 1900, but the first women's cycling events were not integrated into the Olympic program until 1984 - the same year as the first Paralympic event.
The 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games heralded a significant moment in Olympic cycling history with the introduction of mountain biking events. The 2008 Beijing Olympics saw another addition to the Olympic cycling program with the introduction of BMX cycling events, a addition that reflected the sport's constant evolution.
Watching the world’s best athletes is part of what the Olympics is all about. One athlete widely regarded as a significant figure in Olympic cycling is Sir Christopher Hoy, a British track cyclist. Hoy's career in the Olympics spans multiple games, and his success and dominance in track cycling have solidified his status as one of the sport's greatest athletes. Notably, he has earned a total of seven Olympic medals, including six gold medals, across four Olympic Games, namely Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012.
This year, the Olympics are being held in Paris for the third time (1900, 1924, 2024). Cycling was one of the most popular sports in 1900, and the games this year will use the same cycling circuit - 124 years later.
The rich history of cycling as an Olympic sport reflects the sport's enduring legacy and adaptability. From its early days of track and road cycling to the incorporation of diverse disciplines, cycling in the Olympic Games has maintained its status as a competitive and exhilarating showcase of athleticism and sportsmanship. The evolution of Olympic cycling mirrors the sport's ability to remain relevant and inspiring, captivating audiences and athletes alike through the timeless appeal of human-powered competition.
