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China upset at UCI's decision to axe 2 events from 2008 Olympics
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2005-06-14 09:26
Xinhuanet
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BEIJING, June 13, 2005 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Cycling Association (CCA) said on Monday that it was "shocked" and "disappointed" at UCI's decision to drop the men's one kilometer and the women's 500m time trial races from the Beijing Olympic Games.
The two events were axed from the 2008 Olympic program to make way for the debut of BMX, the sport's world governing body UCI said on Saturday.
"It's unreasonable because the time trials are two of the most competitive and entertaining events on the track," said Jiang Guofeng, CCA's secretary-general.
"Those events that are similar in essence should be dropped instead of the women's 500m time trial and the men's 1km time trial," he added.
China has pinned its gold medal hopes on the women's 500m time trial at the 2008 Games for its two ever Olympic medals both came from the event. Jiang Cuihua won a bronze at the 2000 Games in Sydney and Jiang Yonghua claimed a silver at last year's Athens Games.
The CCA had proposed axing of the road time races or individual pursuit races but the UCI apparently had rejected it.
The change will harm the development of the sport, which has long been dominated by European countries, as the women’s 500m time trial is the only event in which Asian cyclists are serious contenders, said Jiang.
"Though we feel sorry about the decision, we can do nothing but accept it," he said.
As the 2008 Olymics are to be held on home soil, Chinese cyclists have set a target of winning a gold medal.
Jiang said the change of the Olympic program has prompted the CCA to shift its focus from the women's 500m time trial onto the women's individual sprint and points races, China's two potential strength events.
"The change cast a shadow on China's medal prospects, but we are confident of fulfilling our goal, " he said.
Both the women's 500m time trial and the men's 1km time trial will remain in the programme for the world cycling championships.
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