International Cycling Union President Brian Cookson wants the 2024 Olympics to boost track racing's reputation, with more medal events at a less troubled velodrome.
Cookson tells The Associated Press ''if people think track cycling is in any way in decline, the message is: 'No, it is not.'''
He says previous UCI leaders, who oversaw cutting track cycling from eight men's medal events to five, ''gave out negative signals'' about its future.
The UCI president acknowledges being ''a little frustrated'' that a delayed velodrome is the last Rio de Janeiro venue being completed, and the 2020 Olympic velodrome is 120 kilometers (75 miles) from downtown Tokyo.
Cookson says talks began with 2024 Summer Games bidders, including Los Angeles, about track cycling. A new velodrome in Paris hosted the 2015 world championships.
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