French Cyclist Shoves Opponent Into Wall, Causes Crash

A spectacular crash in the second heat of the women's keirin caused a delay in the Saturday morning track cycling program so that officials could repair a gouge in the wooden surface of the Olympic velodrome.

The crash occurred on the final lap of the sprinting event when French rider Virginie Cueff used her shoulder to push Dutch rider Laurine van Riessen onto the outer wall and nearly into the stands.

That caused New Zealand's Olivia Podmore and Tania Calvo Barbero of Spain to crash behind them.

All the riders eventually walked off the track under their own power. The surface was repaired with the help of duct tape — yes, duct tape — and competition resumed after a few minutes.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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