From the Netherlands to Thailand, world class athletes are leaving their mark at the Sarasota BMX Supercross track before heading to Rio.

  • More than a dozen Sarasota BMX races heading to Rio
  • BMX racing is relatively new to the Olympic Games
  • To learn more: http://www.sarasotabmx.net/

"I started racing when I was 7, my best friend from school brought a bike to school and I was like this is cool so I joined them for a session at the local track. That's where it started. Fourteen years later and I’m going to the Olympics,” said BMX Olympian Niek Kimmann.

Of the almost 15 riders at the track everyone is an Olympian.

"I’m from Punta Gorda, Florida but I’m half Thai, my mother’s from Thailand so I compete for my mother’s country of Thailand," said Olympian Amanda Carr.

BMX racing is relatively new to the Olympic Games. This is only the third time the sport's been included in the event. Amanda Carr, 26, is one of the 16 women competing.

"You're just in this environment of being the best, of being the greatest, of being the best version of yourself," said Carr.


BMX racing is relatively new to the Olympic Games. (Lauren Verno, Staff)

The caliber is set high and the competition is even higher.

"When these riders go down this start ramp going 45 miles-per-hour and you have seven guys next to you all with their elbow out, it’s a thrill just watching it," said Sarasota BMX Supercross manager Johan Lindstrom.

Out of the billions of people in the world only 48 get to represent their country as a BMX Olympian.

"You get to be one of X amount of people in the world and no one can take that away from you and it’s an honor," said Carr.

By the end of these games one of these athletes will bring home gold.

If you want to see the action up close and person the BMX World Cup finals will be held at the Sarasota BMX track on October 8.