Sprint, Men

With Russell Mockridge (AUS) opting to compete in only the kilo and the tandem, Italy’s Enzo Sacchi became the heavy favorite. Sacchi was World Champion in 1951 and would win the world title later in 1952 as well. For the first time since 1928, all matches were only a single race, rather than racing the medal rounds as best two of three. Twenty-seven cyclists came to the line in the first round. There were eight first round heats and four repêchages to qualify 12 riders for four quarter-finals. The second quarter-final repêchage had four competitors – Antonio Giménez, Béla Szekeres, Stéphan Martens, and Franck le Normand. Giménez led on the last turn when le Normand attempted to come around the pack, only to catch the rear wheel of Martens, with both of them going to the track. A re-race was ordered but le Normand could not compete and was taken to the hospital. Martens did start the re-race but could not put up much a battle, as the race was won by Giménez.

Two semi-finals qualified Sacchi and Australia’s Lionel Cox for the final. Werner Potzernheim (GER) also made the final via a repêchage after the semis. Sacchi won the final by what the 1952 Official Report termed a “narrow, but safe margin”. Cox placed second and the bronze went to Potzernheim. Potzernheim would again win sprint bronze at the 1954 World Championships. Sacchi turned professional after the Olympics, and competed until 1965. He never managed a professional world title, but in the sprint was second in 1953, third in 1954, and again second in 1958. Shortly after the final of the sprint, Cox teamed with Mockridge to win the tandem sprint gold medal.