Feel the adrenaline. You’re standing before the Olympic BMX Track in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This isn’t just any track. This is where Olympic dreams were realised. It’s where champions were crowned.
The Olympic BMX Track opened in March 2014. It’s part of the Lee Valley VeloPark a cycling centre built for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The BMX track though is more than just a legacy venue. It’s a world-class facility. It hosted a round of the 2011 UCI Supercross BMX World Cup. That was before the Olympics even began.
Imagine the roar of the crowd. Visualise the racers hurtling down the starting ramp. Picture the intense concentration on their faces as they navigate the twists. The course itself is a masterpiece of design. It’s 470 metres long for men. The women’s course is slightly shorter at 430 metres. Both courses feature a series of challenging jumps berms and rhythm sections. It was designed by the UCI to push the boundaries of the sport. Even Shanaze Reade and Sarah Walker top BMX racers voiced concerns. They felt the track was intensely challenging especially in windy conditions.
The track wasn’t just built for elite athletes. After the games the seating was removed. The layout was reconfigured to make the track more accessible to all abilities. This shows the lasting legacy of the 2012 Games. The legacy extends beyond the Olympics too. The VeloPark itself replaced the Eastway Cycle Circuit. The Eastway Circuit was the first purpose-built road cycling venue in Britain. It opened in 1975 and closed to make way for the VeloPark in 2006.
So take a moment to appreciate this incredible venue. It’s more than a track. It’s a testament to athletic achievement. It’s a symbol of London’s sporting legacy. It’s a place where dreams are chased. And maybe. Just maybe you’ll feel inspired to try your own two-wheeled adventure.