Charlotte Worthington, the British BMX freestyle gold medallist, highlighted the rapid growth of her sport since it became an official Olympic discipline. BMX, short for bicycle moto cross, first appeared at the Olympics in Beijing 2008 as a racing event, with BMX freestyle, Worthington’s specialty, making its debut as an Olympic medal event in Tokyo 2021.
Speaking from Shanghai, where she is attending one of the Paris 2024 Games qualifying events, Worthington mentioned the significant increase in participants in competitions over the past three years. She also noted the rise in recognition and respect for the sport and its athletes.
“The inclusion of BMX in the Olympics has opened up fantastic opportunities for us,” Worthington mentioned, emphasizing that Olympic recognition has led to increased sponsorships for athletes in the sport.
The addition of BMX along with other extreme sports like skateboarding and surfing to the Olympic program reflects the International Olympics Committee’s effort to attract a younger, more diverse global audience.
“I believe that offering a variety of sports and making them more accessible to the public can only have positive outcomes,” Worthington shared. She emphasized the importance of inspiring people to engage in sports even if they don’t fit the traditional sporting mold.
Overall, Worthington expressed optimism about the evolving landscape of Olympic sports and the increasing diversity in disciplines represented at the Games. She believes that embracing non-traditional sports and creating more opportunities for participation can benefit both athletes and spectators alike.
As BMX continues to gain popularity and recognition on the Olympic stage, Worthington remains hopeful for the future of her sport and the impact it can have on inspiring individuals to pursue their athletic passions.
(Reporting by Nicoco Chan, Editing by Casey Hall and Edwina Gibbs)
