USA Cycling Unveils New BMX Freestyle Training Facility
Team USA athletes used the South Jordan, Utah, facility to prepare for Paris 2024
Posted On: July 23, 2024 By :USA Cycling has unveiled a new BMX Freestyle training facility in South Jordan, Utah, which was built ahead of the 2024 Olympic Summer Games and used as a training facility for Team USA athletes as they prepared for Paris.
In BMX Freestyle’s inaugural Olympic appearance in 2021 in Tokyo, Hannah Roberts securing the country’s first Olympic medal in the sport. In addition to providing a training ground for 2024 Olympians, the facility also establishes a true home for the BMX Freestyle team.
“We are thrilled to finally unveil this groundbreaking training venue,” said USA Cycling Chief of Sport Performance Jim Miller. “Our athletes now have access to a world-class facility that has undoubtedly enhanced their Olympics preparation.”
With support from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the park was created in less than two months. Joe Sirlin spearheaded the project, which began construction in late 2023 and was finished in eight weeks. John Bethers from SuperRamp was the lead builder and ramp builder Nate Wessel from Pastranaland designed the course while Roberts and other BMX athletes were consulted in the building process.
“We were asked, ‘What obstacles do you want?’ Being able to have a say in the design makes it even more special,” she said. “There isn’t a skate park in the world that can prepare you better than this one. This is exactly what we needed to gain an advantage.”
The design incorporates every possible feature that could appear in a BMX contest within the 34-foot tall, 18,000-square foot space.
“I think it’s great to have a place where we can all come together and push each other and motivate each other,” said Perris Benegas, a two-time BMX Olympic qualifier. “The fact that these ramps exist, and this is our home base, is just unbelievable.”
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