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On Road and Track to Success

Spanisch team competing in a track event Handcyclists in action
Spanish team competing in a Track event and Handcycling in Altenstadt, Germany | Photos: © Uwe Flad 2002

If the success of a Championship could be measured by world records, then the 2002 IPC Cycling World Championships from August 3 to 12, was a fantastic success with 18 world records on the track in Augsburg, Germany.Most of the previous records were achieved during the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Therefore, this flood of new records was a big surprise that can only be attributed to a massive increase in standards, commitment, dedication and fierce competition from the athletes involved. Wolfgang Eibeck from Austria raced in all events on the programme for his class (sprint and endurance) and won medals in all of them: three gold, one silver and one bronze.

However, other records were broken at these World Championships, which were not purely athletic. It was the biggest event ever held by IPC Cycling with 201 men and 36 women athletes, plus 61 male and 6 female tandem pilots taking part.There were 36 nations represented and encouragingly, this included eight new nations.A big attraction for many nations was the opportunity to gain ranking points and thereby secure at least one of the much sought after Cycling slots for the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.

The Championships were also the venue for the IPCs’ biennial Cycling Sports Assembly. The Sports Assembly agenda contained many important new IPC Cycling Rules. Amongst the motions passed, were new rules to provide separate events for women in all classes, an issue of concern to the IPC Cycling Committee for some years.With only mixed events available to women athletes, it has been difficult to promote women’s racing. It is hoped that this vicious circle has now been broken. The first ever bicycle Women’s Medals and World Championship Jerseys were awarded in Augsburg. It was a historic moment to see Barbara Buchan (USA), a long time campaigner for equality for women, rightfully awarded with a gold medal and a World Championship Jersey.

The next major goal for the IPC Cycling Committee is to promote events and participation for the more severely disabled. There were encouraging signs at the World Championships that there is already real growth in this area. Several new athletes competed on bicycles in LC4 to strengthen the class and the Cerebral Palsy Tricycle Divisions had a reasonable entry and excellent racing. Handcycling was well represented by men in all divisions, and the women’s entry enough to hold great races. Female Tandem cyclists competing in a road event at the World Championships
Foto: © Uwe Flad 2002

The overall outcome of the 2002 IPC Cycling World Championships, plus other recent developments, places IPC Cycling in a very strong position. As always, there is no complacency and still much to achieve. However, it is hoped that this positive phase will continue for the benefit of existing and future athletes.

Tony Yorke
IPC Chairperson Cycling