Although no British cyclists have signed the letter, among the 22 who have are several Olympic and world medallists, including Danes Michael Morkov (pictured) and Alex Rasmussen, and Australia’s Glenn O’Shea and Howard Leigh, as well as Germany’s Leif Lampater.

 

The IOC is expected next week at its Executive Board meeting in Lausanne to ratify UCI proposals to introduce gender equality in track disciplines from the 2012 Games onwards, with five events each for men and women compared to seven and three, respectively, at Beijing last year.

 

The five events for each gender in London 2012 will be the individual sprint, team sprint, team pursuit, keirin and omnium.

 

That would see three men’s events disappear – the Madison, the points race and the individual pursuit – which has attracted criticism from riders such as Bradley Wiggins, who will be unable to defend his Olympic title in the latter event in front of a home-town crowd.

 

That same event would also disappear from the women’s programme, putting gold medallist Rebecca Romero, who called the proposals "ludicrous", in a similar situation to Wiggins.

 

The letter, addressed to Pat McQuaid and Jacques Rogge, the Presidents of the UCI and IOC respectively, said: "We absolutely understand that the IOC might want gender equality and we are certainly not against it.

 

"But we kindly ask you to obtain this in two phases: an elevation of the number of female participants in 2012 and a restructuring of disciplines and medals in 2016.

 

"The development of athletes and their sport requires a vision on the long term, that can't be upset in two years time.

 

"A lot of us have already been working towards the Olympics for several years.

 

"With two years to go they hear now that all their work and investments they have done will not lead them to a qualification for the Olympic Games in 2012."

 

All the signatories on the letter are male cyclists.

 

 

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October 2009: Romero claims cycling changes for London 2012 are "ludicrous"

October 2009: Changes for London 2012 will kill track cycling claims Wiggins
September 2009: UCI plotting equality changes to track programme for London 2012
August 2009: IOC need to take action on gender equality claim WSFF