Omnium, Women

Paris retained the omnium format that was used at the Tokyo Games, with all the riders competing in four events over one day.

Jennifer Valente (USA) was both the defending Olympic champion and the World track cycling champion, with her lining up as the firm favorite to win gold in Paris. The silver medalist from Tokyo, Yumi Kajihara (JPN), was also there, but the bronze medalist Kirsten Wild (NED) had retired shortly after the previous Olympics. The other medalists from the World championships in Glasgow were also in Paris, with both Amalie Dideriksen (DEN) and Lotte Kopecky (BEL) looking to add Olympic medals to their palmarès.

Valente began her title defence in fine form, winning the scratch race ahead of Maggie Coles-Lyster (CAN) and Georgia Baker (AUS). Her good form continued into the tempo race, with her coming second to Lara Gillespie (IRL), followed by Daria Pikulik (POL) and Georgia Baker. Another victory in the elimination race put Valente well out in front, with all her rivals needing to do something special to stop her from winning gold.

Neah Evans (GBR) was the stand-out rider in the fourth and final event, the points race, which saw her gain a lap on the field and win the final sprint. Her poor performances in the previous events, however, put her way down the field in 17th place. Daria Pikulik, Ally Wollaston (NZL), and Lotte Kopecky all managed to gain two laps, with Valente only gaining one, but it was not enough to overhaul Valente’s points tally. Valente defended her Olympic title, winning her second gold of the Paris Games in the process. Daria Pikulik finished second to win silver, with bronze going to Ally Wollaston.