Though women have been riding bikes as long as bikes have been around, it wasn’t until the Los Angeles Games in 1984 that women’s cycling events were added to the Olympic Programme. The road race finish was one to remember. American CONNIE CARPENTER-PHINNEY managed to catch favorite Rebecca TWIGG, also of the United States, 3 meters before the finish. Neck-and-neck, she threw her bicycle forward to give her the edge she needed to capture the gold. She had practiced the move, taught to her by her bicyclist husband, Olympian Davis PHINNEY, proving that even in a sport of speed, practice makes perfect.
Top Cycling Medalists | |
---|---|
France | 64 |
Germany | 54 |
Italy | 49 |
Great Britain | 44 |
United States | 36 |
Netherlands | 28 |
Soviet Union | 24 |
Belgium | 22 |
Australia | 20 |
Denmark | 20 |
Recordholders | ||
---|---|---|
Road Race - Individual | ||
Men | ||
1. CASARTELLI , Fabio | ITA | 4-35:21 |
2. DEKKER , Erik | NED | at 1 second |
3. OZOLS, Dainis | LAT | at 3 seconds |
Women | ||
1. WATT, Kathryn | AUS | 2-04:42 |
2. LONGO-CIPRELLI , Jeannie | FRA | at 20 seconds |
3. KNOL, Monique | NED | at 21 seconds |
This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.
Written by Jennifer Knight.
| The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July). |