The London Velodrome has stated that it will ‘explore what else can be done to improve rider and spectator safety’ after two accidents occurred where athletes were thrown into the crowd.
Recently, Katy Marchant, the British Olympic champion, suffered a broken wrist and two dislocated fingers when she and a German rider collided with the crowd at the Lee Valley VeloPark circuit. Due to the incident, Marchant needed hospitalization, and the four affected spectators received medical attention for their injuries.
This happened after England’s Matt Walls flew over the barriers into the audience during the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games on the same track, on the same turn, in a high-speed collision.
Following that accident, the venue invested £250,000 in August to construct a Perspex screen, increasing the barrier height by 50 centimetres to 1.4 metres. The circuit has consistently conformed with UCI guidelines, and new regulations will require that all newly constructed velodromes feature comparable safety screens.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said in a statement to BBC Sport: “First and foremost, our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the unfortunate incident on Saturday evening. It was a truly unsettling occurrence and we understand the distress it must have caused to everyone involved.
“We are pleased to hear that Katy Marchant is in good spirits and that the necessary measures are being taken to follow up with impacted spectators.”
The statement added: “The safety of riders and spectators is an absolute priority for Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. Our next major event is in autumn 2025 and we will work with event partners to explore what else can be done at the venue to improve rider and event spectator safety within the rules and technical regulations which govern track cycling. Structural engineers checked the barrier on Sunday, 8 December, and it is undamaged, and the track reopened as planned to the public on Monday.”
Source: BBC