Cycling has been part of every edition of the Olympic Games since the inaugural modern Games in Athens in 1896, where athletes competed in one road race and five track events. The sport has since expanded significantly, with new disciplines added over time. Mountain biking was introduced at the Atlanta 1996 Games, followed by BMX racing at Beijing 2008, and BMX freestyle at Tokyo 2020. Women’s cycling was officially added to the Olympic programme at the Seoul 1988 Games.
Track events are held in a velodrome—a 250-metre-long oval-shaped wooden track with banked turns. The Olympic track cycling programme includes both sprint and endurance events, with some races contested individually and others in teams.
The first Olympic road race was held in 1896 on the original marathon course in Athens. Today’s road cycling events consist of road races and time trials. Road races begin with a mass start, where all riders start together, while time trials are raced individually against the clock, with riders setting off in staggered intervals.
BMX races take place on circuits approximately 350 metres long, featuring an 8-metre high start ramp, jumps, banked corners, and various technical obstacles. Eight riders compete in each heat, progressing through qualifying rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals. Olympic BMX racing includes two medal events: men’s and women’s individual races.
BMX freestyle focuses on riders performing tricks and aerial stunts on specially designed ramps and street-style setups. This discipline made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, reflecting the sport’s urban appeal and creative expression.
Olympic mountain biking, specifically cross-country, challenges riders to navigate rugged terrain, including rocks, trees, steep climbs, and streams. All competitors start together in a mass start, and the courses have evolved to be shorter and more dynamic, offering multiple viewing points near the finish area.
In a major regional milestone, Qatar hosted the 2016 UCI Road World Championships, marking the first time the event was held in the Middle East. Three Qatari cyclists represented the host nation at the event: Farhan Farizi, Abdullah Afif, and Jassem Al-Jabri, helping to raise the profile of cycling in the region.
The Qatar Cycling and Motorcycling Federation was established in 2001 by a decision from His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, then President of the Qatar Olympic Committee. In 2003, motorcycling was separated from the federation’s activities, and the name was changed to the Qatar Cycling Federation. In 2005, triathlon was officially added to the federation’s scope, leading to its current title: the Qatar Cycling & Triathlon Federation. The federation is responsible for developing both sports through national races, talent development programs, and international representation. Major events hosted under its umbrella include the UCI Road World Championships – Doha 2016, and the Tour of Qatar for men and women. The national teams feature active athletes such as Abdullah Al-Hammadi in cycling and Maha Al-Qahtani in triathlon.