ACOG - News - IBM

(28 July 1996; Day 9)

Time Ticking for Track Cycling Women

Following her semifinal race, Marion CLIGNET (FRA) speculated on her success in what was to be yet another stand-off between Italy and France in the women's individual pursuit at the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. "I think I can ride just as fast, or faster (than Antonella BELLUTTI (ITA))," she said. But that wasn't to be.

Although CLIGNET had ridden faster than BELLUTTI just a month ago at the World Cup in Italy, that was before BELLUTTI had perfected her new "Superman" riding style. "Superman" riders stretch their arms out over extended handlebars in an attempt to increase their aerodynamics. The style was introduced by Graeme OBREE of Germany and had been finding some popularity in the sport. While cyclists still debate over the style's effectiveness, others are seeing results.

"She's certainly improved her time here," noted CLIGNET of BELLUTTI's increased comfort with the new style in just a month's time. "Maybe she'll beat me, maybe she won't. I'm banking on the fact she won't. I want this gold medal."

CLIGNET may not be going home with the gold, but she will be sporting a silver. BELLUTTI bested her 3:33.595 to 3:38.571 -- both times faster than the previous Olympic record, though not as fast as BELLUTTI's 3:32.371 race against Kathryn WATT (AUS) in the quarterfinals.

WATT and the United States' Rebecca TWIGG were the disappointments of the hour. Both women have medaled in this event and the road race in previous years (1992 silver and gold medals for WATT, 1992 gold and 1984 silver for TWIGG) and both will be returning empty-handed from the Centennial Olympic Games unless they can pull it out in the time trial on 3 August. WATT, the road-race favorite, barely pulled out a ninth-place finish in the women's road race after falling minutes into the race.

A surprise on a more positive note came with Judith ARNDT's third-place finish. Twenty-year-old ARNDT has more Olympic Games in her future, and many cyclists did not expect to see someone so new to the sport persevere. Neverthless, ARNDT said, "my finish was not a surprise to me, though I think it may have been to others."

Unlike many athletes who feel they need to learn to appreciate their bronze medals, ARNDT was delighted, knowing that she had raced her best time and been rewarded for it.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Jennifer Knight.


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The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts.