BMX star Saya Sakakibara has “picked up the pieces” from a horror crash in Tokyo three years ago to join two Australian bike riders who will make history in Paris as two of only three female cyclists to compete at four Olympics.
BMX racer Lauren Reynolds and mountain bike cross country rider Rebecca Henderson will join Anna Meares as the only female Australian cyclists to compete at four Olympics.
They’ll join defending BMX freestyle gold medallist Logan Martin, who is out to go back-to-back, in the six-member team.
Tokyo Olympian Sakakibara is out to make amends, with debutant Izaac Kennedy completing the BMX racing team. Martin and Natalya Diehm are returning for their second Games.
While Martin is looming as a gold medal chance in the BMX freestyle, Sakakibara hits Paris in incredible form, notching four gold and two silver from the six BMX Racing World Cup events in the 2023/24 season.
She crashed out in Tokyo but has “picked up the pieces” to go again.
“I am overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude,” the 24-year-old said.
“I am grateful for the people around me who helped me pick up the pieces from the last Games and carry onto this one.
“To be given a second opportunity to compete at an Olympic Games is truly gratifying. Getting to this point is already a big achievement but the job isn’t done yet.
“With a month to go, I am in the south of France – I had some time riding on the Olympic track, and it’s head down, going through the last phase of training to be at peak condition for August.
“I feel confident in my team and what we are doing, I’m excited and nervous!”
Martin said he’d complete his preparation in Belgium having already travelled the world to get himself into gold medal winning form.
“Massive thank you to my amazing wife, my mum and parents-in-law for holding down the fort while I’ve had to travel and compete to qualify for Paris 2024,” he said.
“There is still a couple of weeks left until I fly out and do a week in Belgium to get adjusted to the time zone and warmer weather, so I will be doing the work on and off bike until I fly out.
“I will celebrate making it to another Olympics after the Olympics. I plan to have an ice cream and some macaroons with my children and wife in Paris when my event is done.”
