(26 July 1996; Day 7)
Men's sprint competition is fierce. The top cyclist in the world will be battling for the right to wear the gold. France, Germany and Australia each have two top riders competing in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Entrants from France include Florian ROUSSEAU, who won the 1996 Olympic gold medal on Wednesday for 1km, and Frederic MAGNE, who qualified in the repechage on Thursday afternoon. Riding for the glory of Germany are Eyk POKORNY, who also qualified for the quarterfinals in the repechage on Thursday, and Jen FIELDER, the defending Olympic match sprint champion. Olympic sprint record holder Gary NEIWAND and world champion Darryn HILL are sprinting toward the gold for Australia. "Everyone is so close, " said NEIWAND. "You could draw names and pick a winner. That's the kind of field it is."
An even bigger battle may be fought between in the remaining two cyclists in the men's sprint competition, Curt HARNETT of Canada and the 1994 World Champion Marty NOTHSTEIN of the United States. "Everything is going as expected, " said NOTHSTEIN of the competition. "The top riders are still in the top." HARNETT clocked the best time at the one-eighth sprint finals on Friday with a time of 10.793. In close pursuit was Jens FIELDER, who clocked in at 10.808 and Florian ROUSSEAU with 0.828. "I think it's the toughest field we've ever seen at the Olympics. It will come down to who's the best on the final day, who has a better day in the end," commented HARNETT about the competition.
Competition will continue on Saturday at the Stone Mountain Velodrome at 11:15.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Victoria St. Martin.
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