ACOG - News - IBM

(25 July 1996; Day 6)

Track Cycling Posts Record-Breaking Day

Andrea COLLINELLI and Antonella BELLUTTI bring nothing but pride to Italy in the track cycling arena. Both athletes are world record holders. One has won a gold medal and the other is well on her way.

Today, COLLINELLI won the gold medal in the men's individual pursuit with a time of 4:20.893, an average speed of 55.19km/hour, beating out Phillipe ERMENAULT (FRA), who was awarded the silver medal for his time of 4:22.714. COLLINELLI set the Olympic and world records of 4:19.153 on Wednesday, 24 July.

Friday, BELLUTTI will take one step closer to the gold in the women's individual pursuit quarterfinals. BELLUTTI is the current world record holder with a time of 3:31.924 and set an Olympic record today with her time of 3:34.130 in the individual pursuit. During the qualification round, Judith ARNDT (GER) first broke the Olympic record, clocking in at 3:40.335, then Marion CLIGNET (FRA), who rode prior to BELLUTTI, clocked a time of 3:35.774. BELLUTTI then set the current Olympic record.

CLIGNET said of her time, "I was shooting for 3:37. I am very happy with my time...." Quarterfinals will begin at 13:55 on Friday, 26 July at Stone Mountain Velodrome.

The world renowned French cyclists failed to take the top spot, but will be hard to beat in the sprint competition. Felicia BALLANGER (FRA) has won the women's sprint at the 1995 World Championships and finished second at the 1994 World Championships as well as winning the women's 500-meter time trial at the 1995 World Championships and finishing second in the women's sprint in the 1992 Games. Her toughest competitor will be Australian Michelle FERRIS, a three-time medalist at the Junior World Championships in the sprints and point race, a third-place finisher in the 1995 World Championships women's 500-meter time trials, and winner of four events at the 1994 National Championships.

In the men's race, Florian ROUSSEAU (FRA) is favored. He won the gold medal in 1km on 24 July, but another Aussie will be nipping at his heels. Gary NIEWAND (AUS) set the Olympic record on 24 July in the flying time trials with a time of 10.129. The previous record was set by another contender, Jens FIELDER (GER), in the quarterfinals.

For the home crowd, Marty NOTHSTEIN will be garnering all the attention. He won the 1994 world championship sprint competition; the 1994 world championship gold in keirin; and the 1995 Pan American Games in sprint. NORTHSTEIN said Thursday after qualifying to the one-eighth finals, "We just wanted to go out and win convincingly and not make any mistakes. The top guys are still at the top -- no upsets, yet."

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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