A Gold Medal Showcase of BMX Freestyle at the Olympics

As you probably know, BMX freestyle made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, and it did not disappoint. This means the world finally got to witness top riders take their BMX bikes to new heights (literally and figuratively) on one of the biggest stages in sports. The event was packed with jaw-dropping tricks, high-stakes competition, and history-making performances that left fans in awe.

Held at the Ariake Urban Sports Park, the BMX freestyle competition took place on July 31 and August 1, 2021 (even though it was officially the 2020 Olympics). With riders from all over the world, the battle for gold was intense. However, when the dust settled, two names stood at the top: Logan Martin of Australia and Charlotte Worthington of Great Britain. The first-ever Olympic BMX freestyle gold medalists.

Men’s BMX Freestyle

When it comes to BMX racing and freestyle, every competition brings its share of surprises. However, if there was one rider everyone had their eyes on in Tokyo, it was Logan Martin. The Australian powerhouse came into the event as the 2021 World Champion, and his dominance on the BMX bike was undeniable.

With a flawless mix of technical precision, massive airs, and smooth execution, Martin secured the first-ever Olympic gold medal in BMX freestyle. His runs were nothing short of spectacular, making it clear why he was the favorite heading into the competition.

The final standings in the men’s BMX freestyle event were:

  • Gold – Logan Martin (Australia)
  • Silver – Daniel Dhers (Venezuela)
  • Bronze – Declan Brooks (Great Britain)

We think it’s fair to say that Daniel Dhers gave Martin a run for his money, pulling off an incredible performance to secure the silver medal. Meanwhile, Declan Brooks put down a solid run to claim bronze, marking a great moment for British BMX.

Women’s BMX Freestyle

If the men’s event was thrilling, the women’s BMX freestyle competition was downright groundbreaking. Charlotte Worthington of Great Britain delivered one of the most unforgettable performances in BMX history, proving that she was there to win—and she did just that.

What made her gold medal moment even more impressive? She landed the first-ever 360 backflip in women’s BMX freestyle competition. 

The final podium for the women’s BMX freestyle event was:

  • Gold – Charlotte Worthington (Great Britain)
  • Silver – Hannah Roberts (United States)
  • Bronze – Nikita Ducarroz (Switzerland)

However, Worthington’s road to gold wasn’t easy. Hannah Roberts, the reigning world champion at the time, put up an incredible fight and took home the silver. Meanwhile, Nikita Ducarroz from Switzerland showed the world that she belonged on the podium with a strong performance that secured her the bronze medal.

How BMX Freestyle is Judged?

The Olympic format consisted of two rounds: a seeding round and a final round, where each rider had two 60-second runs to showcase their best tricks.

A panel of five judges scored each run based on factors like:

  1. Difficulty of the tricks
  2. Execution and cleanliness
  3. Style and originality

This means riders had to bring their biggest tricks and land them flawlessly. The competition was fierce, and only those who could balance risk and consistency made it to the podium.

What This Means for BMX

BMX has always been a sport fueled by innovation and progression, and its Olympic debut proved just how far it has come. Moreover, with BMX freestyle officially part of the Olympic lineup, the sport is set to grow even more.

We think this is just the beginning. Seeing BMX riders like Logan Martin and Charlotte Worthington push the limits on the biggest stage in sports is a sign that BMX freestyle is here to stay. The next generation of riders is already training, and by the time the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics roll around, we can only imagine how much crazier the tricks will get.