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'A terrible outcome': Feud erupts as Australian cycling body accuses NSW government of neglecting iconic Olympic venue

Updated November 14, 2024 - 5.40am. First published at 3.30am

The governing body of Australian cycling has slammed the NSW government over what it claims is a "failure" to secure the future of the state's only indoor velodrome, which it says could throw into jeopardy the preparation of athletes for the Los Angeles and Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In a sharply worded statement issued on Thursday, AusCycling said the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) would end its track cycling program because of uncertainty over the future of Dunc Gray Velodrome, which was used for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

AusCycling said the NSWIS decision had been prompted by the NSW government's failure to commit to a revitalisation of the venue, situated in Bass Hill.

AusCycling also said the NSW government had decided to "abandon responsibility for the velodrome", which would include offloading all maintenance to the Canterbury-Bankstown Council from March 31, 2025.

The Canterbury-Bankstown Council is the sole owner of the venue.

Dunc Gray Velodrome was the scene of the madison gold medal won by Australia's Scott McGrory and Brett Aitken at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Scott McGrory (left) and Brett Aitken celebrate winning madison gold on Dunc Gray Velodrome at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Getty

"The failure of the New South Wales government to secure the future of the state's only indoor velodrome has left elite and emerging athletes in limbo," the AusCycling statement said.

"... AusCycling has been in regular discussion with the council which will face major financial and management decisions in determining the velodrome's future.

"Unfortunately, this uncertainty means the NSWIS track program will be wound up and the state's best able and para track athletes may be left without a training venue or an elite program less than four years out from the Los Angeles Games and eight years from a home Olympics."

AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner delivered a warning.

"If this facility continues to be ignored and de-prioritised, NSW risks becoming the only state in Australia without an indoor velodrome, a terrible outcome for Australia's most populous state," Fechner said.

The chief executive said AusCycling remained willing to work with the NSW government, the Canterbury-Bankstown Council and other parties "to chart a sustainable future for the velodrome and elite training programs".

Dunc Gray Velodrome was named in recognition of Edgar "Dunc" Gray, who in Los Angeles in 1932 became Australia's first Olympic cycling gold medallist.

Dunc Gray Velodrome opened in November 1999, less than 12 months out from the Sydney Olympics and Paralympics.

Its construction cost about $42 million and was funded by the NSW government.

The NSW Office of Sport provided the below statement to Wide World of Sports.

"Dunc Gray Velodrome is owned by City of Canterbury-Bankstown," said the Office of Sport statement.

"The Office of Sport operates and manages the venue under a management agreement with council which ends on 31 March 2025.

"The Office of Sport is currently engaging with City of Canterbury-Bankstown on the future management arrangements."

WWOS requested comment from the Canterbury-Bankstown Council.

WWOS also requested comment from NSWIS, but the organisation declined.