Mountain biking is an Olympic sport, and is one of the newest sports, with its first entry into the games taking place in 1996 at the Atlanta Games. The aim of mountain biking as an Olympic sport is to test technical skill as well as physical endurance, which is why cross country mountain biking was made an Olympic sport. This is not to be confused with downhill mountain biking, which is not recognized as an Olympic sport at the present time.
Currently there are two recognized mountain biking events at the Olympics, the Women’s Cross Country Mountain Biking competition and the Men’s Cross Country Mountain Biking competition. The rules for both are simple. Competitors start from a line at the same time and then race for two hours on a closed course that takes place off road. After a fixed amount of laps are completed the first biker to cross the finish line is the winner.
Although the race is set up simply, it is a very demanding sport and requires a large amount of equipment. Of course, the most important component is a mountain bike. Two types of mountain bikes are allowed to be used at the Olympic Games, full suspension or hardtails.
Outside of bikes, athletes need to wear cycle clothes, helmets, special shoes, and gloves. Additionally, competitors are allowed to carry snacks and water bottles so that they stay fully hydrated and energized, which are both essential for stamina and safety.
As with the rest of the Olympic Games, mountain bike competitors go for the gold, silver, and bronze medals. Athletes cannot practice on the course before the event to keep the playing field level, due to the fact that the mountain bike off road course is not set until the day prior to the race because of weather factors.
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