It's obviously, to us cyclists, unfair, that there are shedloads of events in swimming, with multiple entrants from each country, and this huge limitation in the velodrome.
Ultimately these hings are decided by politicians (albeit that they might have once been competitors), and it becomes all about deals, giving a bit to get a bit etc. Many of these people have persoanl ambition beyond their own sport, to to rise higher in their own infrastructure.
It would be nice if the competitors had a say; but it appears that this doesn't, and can't, happen.
I disagree that track is some weird sidewater - it's been the basis of cycle racing for as long as there have been bikes. It's also much more easily understood and televised. Try explaining the whole load of tactics going on in the road race last week to someone who's never raced, or even never raced at a serious level.