IOC approves major changes in cycling, tennis for 2012 Olympics

Olympic leaders have approved major changes in track cycling, including elimination of the sport\'s signature endurance race, and the addition of mixed doubles in tennis for the 2012 London Games.



The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board agreed to a program of five men\'s and five women\'s track cycling events as part of a gender-parity plan proposed by cycling world governing body UCI.



As a result, the Olympics will lose track cycling\'s iconic event, the 4,000m individual pursuit for men and 3,000m pursuit for women.



IOC President, Jacques Rogge said the committee was just following the recommendations of the UCI.



Also eliminated in the changes are the men\'s and women\'s points races, and men\'s madison.



The IOC board also ratified a proposal by the International Tennis Federation for inclusion of a 16-team mixed doubles competition in London, where the tournament will be played on grass at Wimbledon.



In August, the IOC said it wanted guarantees that top players in singles would be able to participate in mixed doubles. Outside of the Olympics, the top singles players rarely play doubles or mixed doubles.