They have removed an event which has been an Olympic Blue Ribbon discipline since the start of the Modern Olympics over 100years ago.
The kilo in Athens was one of the greatest sporting contests of all time in any sport. Where else have you seen a World Record beaten four times in 15 minutes? It was contested by at least 6 of the best ever prepared athletes. This will completely unbalance track cycling.
The World Championships, Pan-American and Commonwealth Games have little commercial worth with regard to sponsorship. There is now no incentive for any youngster to enter a sport with no career structure. All these years of work for the chance to win one lucky or one team medal.
This is one event where a country does not need a multi-million performance plan to get their riders ready to race. Theo Boss proved last year that he could be World Champion on a small budget. He just trained, lived and ate properly and got the rewards.
http://www.uci.ch/modello.asp?1stlev...=0&idnews=3559