Tandem Sprint (2,000 metres), Men

Of four track events in Amsterdam, the Dutch won silver medals in three. They won the tandem sprint event, but not without their fair share of luck. In the semi-finals, Daan van Dijk and Bernhard Leene fell in their race against Germany, but were allowed a re-run. They left Hans Bernhardt and Karl Köther far behind on the second try, but eased going into the last lap, and then had to fight hard for the victory, about half a wheel ahead of Germany. In the final, the Dutch pair faced Ernest Chambers and John Sibbitt of Britain. In the first curve of the last lap, the Dutch jumped to the lead, and cut in front of their opponents on the back straight. They held on to the lead until the line. Some onlookers thought their move to overtake had been illegal, but the result was allowed to stand. Not so lucky were the Canadian tandem sprinters. They were set to compete in the first round, but their tandem bike, which had been used in the first heat of the competition as well, was broken, and had not yet been repaired. Canada had to forfeit, and Italy received a walkover to the semi-finals.