OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Hoy challenges cycling rule changes at Games

By Sportsbeat staff, London 2012

SIR Chris Hoy has challenged rule changes made by cycling's world governing body regarding the number of events and number of eligible track cycling athletes per event at the London 2012 Olympics.


THAT'S LIFE: Sir Chris Hoy challenges rule changes at Games made by the International Cycling Union

Speaking at Newport Velodrome, the four-time gold medallist addressed the removal of four men's track events from Olympic status – the kilometre time trial, the madison, the individual pursuit and the points race.

"There's often decisions made that I don't think are made for the right reasons and for the benefit of the sport, but all you can do as an athlete is speak out about it when the decisions are made and then get on with it," said the 36-year-old, who will carry the British flag in Friday night's £30 million opening ceremony.

"You accept the UCI make decisions out of the blue and you expect the unexpected with them."

Hoy – who in 2008 became the first British athlete since 1908 to win three gold medals at a single Games – also hit out at the rule that has resulted in several national Olympic Committee's entering track cyclists for the mountain bike and road events so they able to field them in the velodrome.

The Scot is a victim of the decision to limit each country to one rider per event, with Jason Kenny selected ahead of him in the men's sprint, while four years ago they took the top spots on the podium.

However, some nations have found a way around the rule.

"Obviously the Germans and the French have found ways around the one rider per country rule to get an extra rider into their squad, so they can substitute people in and out, which has kind of made a bit of a mockery of the UCI rulings," he added.

“But that's life and we've learned to accept that, deal with it and we're practising it as it will be on the day."

© Sportsbeat 2012