Olympic Velodrome (Carson, California)

The Olympic Velodrome in Carson, California, was a special place built for track cycling events during the 1984 Summer Olympics. It was located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills and constructed between 1981 and 1982. The velodrome was sponsored by the American convenience store chain 7-Eleven.

The velodrome had a long track that was 333.3 meters around. In 2003, the old track was taken down and replaced by the ADT Event Center in 2004. This new center is now called the VELO Sports Center and is the only place in the United States that meets the standards for Olympic-level track cycling. Today, a soccer stadium called the Dignity Health Sports Park stands where the Olympic Velodrome used to be.

History

In 1981, California State University, Dominguez Hills was chosen to host the Olympic velodrome for the 1984 Summer Olympics. The university’s president was excited to be part of the Olympics. Construction started in July 1981 and finished on time and under budget by July 1982.

The velodrome had a track that was 333.333 metres long, made of concrete, and built to be very smooth. It could hold up to 2,000 spectators permanently, with extra seating added for the Olympics to hold between 6,400 and 8,000 people. The 1984 Olympics was a big success for cycling, with the United States winning many medals, including the first-ever women’s cycling events.