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Keirin is a track cycling event in which a small group of cyclists
sprints for victory. In the first few laps, the cyclists are paced by a motorised vehicle called a derny, which leaves the track a few laps before
the end, at a speed of about 50 km/h. The first to finish the race is the
winner.
In championships, this event is conducted in several rounds. Eliminated
cyclists get the opportunity try again in the repechages.
Keirin began in 1948 in Japan, and has great popularity there. It is a
professional sport and the Japanese place bets on the outcome of the Keirin
races. In spite of its popularity, Japanese cyclists do not belong to the
medal contenders for this event at international tournaments. In 2000,
Keirin was also added to the program of the Olympic Games.
Aspiring Keirin racers compete for entrance into Japan Keirin School. The
10% of applicants fortunate enough to be accepted then undergo a strict,
15-hour per day, training regime. Those who pass the graduation exams, and
are approved by the Japan Keirin Association become eligible for Keirin
races.
Keirin racing became an event at the Olympic Games in 2000 at Sydney,
Australia.
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