BMX course ready to roll for Rio 2016

Rio de Janeiro city government has unveiled the completed BMX course for Rio 2016. Construction on the course began back in July 2014 as part of Deodoro Olympic Park, which is the second largest venue cluster for the Games.

The course will be put through its paces for the first time in October when it hosts the International BMX Cycling Challenge, which is the official test event for Rio 2016.

Built out of grit with a thin layer of asphalt on the bends, the track covers a total area of around 4,000m². The men will race over 400m while the women’s event will be contested over 350m. In order to make the events even more exciting, the course designers have positioned the bumps on the track 10m apart, which will give the more daring riders the opportunity to gain extra height and speed.

A “rhythm section” near the end, comprising a series of jumps and small obstacles will enable the riders to maximise the fluidity of their runs over the final stretch.

BMX fans will be able to enjoy the spectacle from the vantage point of a 7,500-capacity temporary grandstand, which is set to be installed closer to the Games.

The course forms part of the X-Park, which will also play host to the mountain bike and canoe slalom competitions. The site will form part of the Rio 2016 sporting and social legacy, remaining in place for local residents after the Games.

The BMX course is the first of seven event venues that are due to be completed by the end of the year, with six more at Barra Olympic Park set to be declared competition-ready in the next few months: Carioca Arenas 1 (basketball), 2 (judo and wrestling) and 3 (judo, taekwondo and fencing); the Future Arena (handball); the Olympic Tennis Centre; and the Rio Olympic Velodrome.