The association has acquired a valuable historical witness – the final lap bell that once rang during competitions at the “Marss” cycling club velodrome. This bell was used to signal the beginning of the decisive final lap, and for many years it remained on the velodrome grounds.
On March 31, 2008, when the velodrome was officially closed, with the permission of its long-time director Viļņis Oliņš, the bell was handed over to Jānis Sniedze. He took it to his family home in the Tukums region, where this historical artifact has been carefully preserved ever since.
We have now received this special donation from Jānis Sniedze. The bell serves as a symbol not only of the sporting traditions of “Marss”, but also of cycling history as a whole.
Its sound once accompanied decisive moments of competition – moments when both spectators and athletes felt the rising tension, competitive spirit, and excitement.
We accept this donation with gratitude, preserving it as an important part of our sporting heritage.
At present, it is not possible to determine with certainty exactly when this bell was installed at the velodrome. However, this article includes a photograph from 1957 and a frame from a 1960s newsreel in which the bell can be seen.
