by Xinhua writers Xing Jianqiao and Yao Youming
PARIS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's teenage rider Deng Yawen's victory in the women's BMX freestyle at Paris 2024, the country's first ever Olympic gold in BMX cycling, has stunned the world and her countrymen, who know a little of the sport.
BMX freeystyle made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, while China's BMX freestyle team was only formed in 2018 and failed to qualify for the competition in Tokyo. How did the seemingly "impossible" progress to the top of the podium in only three years happen from such a humble start? Xiong Xin, leader of the Chinese BMX team, share the secret with Xinhua in an exclusive interview.
China's General Administration of Sport formulated a unique development plan for BMX freestyle after Tokyo 2020, a key part of which was to hire Daniel Dhers, a legendary BMX freestyler and silver medalist at Tokyo 2020, to be the head coach of the Chinese team.
It was the trinity of the country's firm support to the sport, an excellent coach and the athletes' efforts that resulted in Deng's gold medal, according to Xiong.
He underlined the athletes' sacrifice for the gold, as they worked really hard during the winter training and the preparations for the Olympics in a bid to narrow the gap with their rivals despite a late start.
"We insist on carrying out three training sessions per day, because we have to race against time," he said.
The Chinese team conducted and participated in enormous oversea training and competitions. "We improved our athletes' ability to adapt themselves to unfamiliar competition venues. They learnt from their competitors and judges to improve," he added.
According to Xiong, they didn't aim at a gold in Paris, given that their biggest competitor was Hannah Roberts, five-time world champion, who had won almost all major international titles.
"After we arrived in Paris, we saw that our country provided us with such a great support. Our confidence was boosted day by day," he said.
Though BMX freestyle is still not popular in China, Xiong was convinced that Deng's success would have a positive influence on accelerating the promotion of the sports and all cycling events at large in home country, which boast a massive sports market.
"The media outlets were covering it, and people were watching it live on TV. It would draw the interest of the public," he said.
Xiong noted that Deng would also participate in more charity events in China to have a closer contact with the public to promote this niche sport.
"Step down the podium and everything restarts from zero. Today's achievement is now in the past. We need to learn from the Games with in-depth reflection on our loss and gains," he said.
"We have already started preparing for the next Olympic cycle, make up for our shortcomings, and continue to win glory for our country," he added.
