BMX -- short for Bicycle Motocross -- is a brand new event this year in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Orginating in California in the late 1960's as a human-powered version of off-road motorcycle racing, BMX features racers who propel themselves on their bikes around a course chock full of jumps, banked turns and sharp curves. BMX moved to Europe from the States in the 1970's and interest in the sport grew rapidly, and the first world championships took place in 1982.
With rules becoming formal and more consistent between organizing bodies, BMX was officially recognized and sanctioned by the International Cycling Union in 1993, with the International Olympic Committee in 2003 giving its blessing to include BMX as an official event at the 2008 Olympics.
