In track cycling, how long is one lap of the standard Olympic velodrome?

The story behind the answer

One lap of the standard Olympic velodrome is 250 metres. Modern Olympic track-cycling venues use this distance for events such as the team sprint, team pursuit, keirin and omnium.

A velodrome is a purpose-built track with steeply banked turns. The banking allows riders to maintain speed while following a curved line, and the track surface is usually made from wood indoors or a specialized material outdoors. The steepness varies by venue and design.

Older velodromes can have different lap lengths, including 333 metres or 400 metres. That is why a question about a “standard Olympic” track points specifically to 250 metres. Track race distances are often expressed in laps, so knowing the lap length is essential when interpreting event formats and records.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

Add question to a list

Choose a list to keep this question in: