How has Barcelona treated the athlete so far?
She has just finished the weekend’s opening training session, feeling hopeful about the upcoming competition. It is her first visit, and the overall impression is positive. The heat was intense, yet the session struck a solid balance between climate and challenge, leaving her with confidence about what lies ahead.
What is hoped from this appointment?
The aim is to keep expectations flexible because outcomes can hinge on factors beyond control. The goal is to deliver a strong performance and enjoy the moment, using the experience to rebuild confidence for future races.
Is the Paris Games mindset the same?
Yes, the approach stays steady: focus on what she does best, without tying outcomes to fixed expectations. That mindset is considered the most reliable route to solid results.
Did the sport draw her in at an early stage, or did it come later?
Her BMX journey began relatively late. She left a restaurant job for a change of scenery and started BMX at nineteen. A background in scooter skating helped ease the transition into racing.
What sparked the shift to BMX?
The drive for progress and new challenges was the catalyst. After long periods of winning on the scooter, a plateau emerged. Watching teammates in BMX sparked curiosity, and within a year she found herself competing on television. That exposure opened many doors and soon pointed to a full cycling career, with a team noticing her talent as they prepared for Tokyo 2020.
Was the transition from scooter to BMX natural?
It felt almost seamless. Scooting shares many fundamentals with BMX, allowing transferable skills to flow across disciplines. The adaptation happened organically and quickly, aided by a growing understanding of the sport.
Does she still skate at all?
Not much anymore. Memorable tricks are recalled, but practice time has faded in importance over the years.
What impact did Olympic recognition have on BMX?
The impact was transformative. Riders are now seen as professional athletes who invest as much effort as any other competitor. Support from cycling federations has boosted the sport’s visibility and expanded opportunities for young athletes, more competitions, and broader access. The Olympics also advanced women’s participation, creating fresh paths and visibility. BMX is increasingly viewed as a sport for everyone rather than a pastime for a few park riders.
So what are BMX athletes today?
The park remains a touchstone, but so do the professionals who train with their teams daily. They ride, hit the gym, and prepare for events, yet the roots of the dream stay tied to bikes and the friends who shared those early moments in a park.
What is it like for a woman in a sport that remains heavily masculinized?
The experience mirrors the early days of scooter culture: often the only woman in the park, with limited female representation at certain events. Yet change is underway. More girls, especially young ones, are taking up BMX, inspired by stronger female role models. Since she began competing in 2018, the presence of women has more than doubled, driven by professionalization and growing opportunities.
How did she plan her professional path when competition began?
Photography and communications studies at university shaped early ambitions. While working in a restaurant, she rose through the kitchen ranks as competition results improved. The demanding schedule made full training difficult, so she chose to pursue BMX as a full-time endeavor.
How did becoming an Olympic medalist affect her personally and professionally?
The experience opened extraordinary opportunities and collaborations with major brands like Adidas, with athletes often receiving strong support in the United Kingdom. She feels grateful for the journey, though the pace of the last two years has been relentless and has left little time for rest, presenting physical challenges to manage.
Physically, what has been the toll?
Injury has resurfaced after Tokyo, with four shoulder injuries occurring in a short period, plus other minor issues. The current focus is on braking more smoothly and savoring the sport without overdoing it, balancing ambition with recovery.