- Shriever seemed poised for gold after a stellar performance in Friday’s semi-finals.
- However, she struggled at the start of the final, finishing in eighth place.
- It was a disappointing day for Team GB in BMX, with France taking the spotlight.
Emmanuel Macron made a timely appearance to witness a French sweep in the men’s BMX event. Regrettably, it wasn’t an evening for British joy as the President’s security team went about their duties.
There was hope in the air as Beth Shriever, the reigning champion in the women’s category, had shown remarkable form leading up to the final. She, alongside Australia’s Saya Sakakibara, had dominated the competition. However, Shriever ultimately finished in eighth place, while Sakakibara claimed gold.
Starting in gate six, Shriever found herself at a slight disadvantage and never really got into the race. Based on her semi-final times, she had the option to choose her lane, but opted not to select an inside position that might have offered a quicker path into the first turn.
When asked about her gate choice, she explained, ‘Due to my collarbone injury from the world championships in May, it takes some pressure off. If I started slowly, I believed I could make a comeback.’
‘It worked perfectly in every prior heat. However, in the final, with two speedy competitors next to me, it wasn’t as effective.’
Beth Shriever is already looking ahead to the LA Olympics in 2028 after her disappointment in Paris
She was dominant in the BMX until the final, where a slow start meant she finished eighth
She said she will give it her best to be in LA in 2028, before settling down and having kids
‘I plan to give my all to be in LA in 2028 and then consider settling down and starting a family afterwards. I’m committed to making the most of the next four years before potentially concluding my career.’
In the men’s event, British athlete Kye Whyte, who won silver at Tokyo 2020, faced a unfortunate incident. He fell hard during his second run in the semi-finals after hitting the back wheel of French competitor Sylvain Andre—one of Macron’s contingent—who earned silver behind Joris Daudet and ahead of Romain Mahieu.
The 24-year-old Whyte remained nearly motionless as medics intervened, and he was eventually transported on a stretcher. A disappointing end for a talented athlete who turned to biking to escape the challenges of his early life in Peckham. While he will have another chance in LA, that hardly offered any consolation last night.
‘Kye was evaluated by the on-site medical team and subsequently seen by the GB cycling team doctor, Nigel Jones,’ a representative from British Cycling said. ‘The report was reassuring, indicating no major injuries.’
‘We wish Kye a swift recovery and anticipate seeing him back on his bike soon.’
