500 metres Time Trial, Women

Earlier in 2004, Anna Meares (AUS) had won the World Championship over China’s Jiang Yonghua. Jiang held the world record of 34 flat, and posted the fastest time of 34.112 as the next-to-last starter. But Meares defeated her again, breaking the world record with 33.952 and becoming the first woman under the 34-second barrier. The bronze medalist, Nataliya Tsylinskaya (RUS), had been World Champion in 2002-2003 and would win the title again in 2005 in Los Angeles, defeating Meares in the process. Meares finished second at the 2005-06 Worlds but returned in 2007 to win her second world title. With BMX added to the 2008 Olympic program, this event was discontinued at the Olympics and Meares had no chance to defend her gold medal.