HistoryData
sports2008

Cycling at the 2008 Summer Olympics — cycling events at the Olympics

January 1, 2008

Great Britain's dominance of the 2008 Olympic cycling events launched a multi-Games era in which British cyclists claimed 70% of all velodrome gold medals through 2020.

Quick Facts

Year
2008
Category
sports

Key Facts

Event dates
August 9–23, 2008
Total medals won by Great Britain
14 medals
Gold medals won by Great Britain
8 gold medals
Velodrome golds won by Great Britain
7 of 10
GB velodrome golds over next 3 Games
21 of 30 (70%)

By the Numbers

9
Event dates
14medals
Total medals won by Great Britain
8gold medals
Gold medals won by Great Britain
7
Velodrome golds won by Great Britain

Location

Map of Beijing, ChinaMap of Beijing, ChinaBeijing, China

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Great Britain invested heavily in track cycling infrastructure and coaching in the years leading up to Beijing, building a squad capable of competing across all velodrome disciplines. This preparation, combined with strategic focus on events with multiple medal opportunities, positioned the team for exceptional results.

Event

Cycling events at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics were held from August 9 to 23 across four venues, including the Laoshan Velodrome for track events. Great Britain won 14 medals in total, including 8 golds, with 7 of those coming from the 10 velodrome events, making them the standout nation of the competition.

Consequence

Great Britain's performance in Beijing marked the start of sustained velodrome dominance lasting through the 2020 Summer Olympics, during which British cyclists captured 21 of the 30 available velodrome gold medals across three subsequent Games, representing 70% of all golds on offer in that discipline.

Result

Great Britain
8 gold, 14 total medals

at Laoshan Velodrome / Laoshan Mountain Bike Course / Laoshan BMX Field / Beijing Cycling Road Course

Great Britain won 7 of 10 velodrome gold medals, beginning a run of 70% of all velodrome golds through 2020

Timeline Context

Timeline around 20082008200520062007200920102011Eurovision Song Contest 2008 — 53rd Eurovision Song ContestJanuary 2008 — month of 20082008 Formula One World Championship — 62nd season of Formula One motor racingBasketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics — basketball played during the 2008 Summer OlympicsAthletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics — athletics events at the OlympicsTennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics — Tennis events during the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Africa Cup of Nations — football championship of AfricaHandball at the 2008 Summer Olympics — handball tournaments played during the 2008 Olympic Summer Gamescycling-at-the-2008-summer-olympics-cycling-events-at-the-2008