According to a write-up on Bike Biz, the 2012 Olympics from London, England will apparently be introducing BMX Park into its roster of sports. Well, okay, it's not set in stone just yet, but according to Dave Brailsford, British Cycling's performance director, "It's very strongly rumored that 'park' BMX, or freestyle, will be introduced before the 2012 Olympics."
The reaction? Laughter. Brailsford further goes on to say, "The information I'm getting is I'll be performance director of street BMX so I will have to go and get my hoodie and baggie shorts." I guess Brailsford thinks everyone that might qualify into the park class of the 2012 Olympics dresses like Kevin Smith? Not sure where he's exactly going with that one, but it does allow for me to tie in my love for Silent Bob to the 2012 Olympics and a BMX blog.
I gotta be honest though. Up till a few minutes ago, I hadn't heard anything about this. There have been rumors that if anything from the freestyle side of BMX was going into the Olympics, it would be vert. But the park thing caught me off guard. Though it does make a little more sense since the average age of a vert pro is now 35 years-old. (Add three years to that and you can see where I'm going.)
Maybe the Olympics needs new blood? Maybe the Olympics wants to appeal to the younger tight-panted generations? Maybe we need more people to dress like Kevin Smith in the park class? I guess you can tell, I'm not convinced just yet. It would definitely be interesting to watch if it does come about. Overall though, I'm on the fence about BMX in the Olympics. I mean, it doesn't really make my riding sessions at night any more fun, but it does get the word out about BMX. Got any thoughts you wanna share? Register and comment below. I'm really curious to see what everyone thinks about this.
- Brian Tunney
Edit: Mark Sutton of Bike Biz sent over this follow up e-mail as well: "Just read your ESPN post on our story. Just wondered if a link to Carlton Reid's podcast on the event would be of use? That way you can hear exactly what David Brailsford says. The comments about freestyle BMX being in the 2012 Olympics are about 25 mins 45 seconds in."
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Contributors
Brian Tunney
This is Brian. He lives in Jersey City, rides BMX bikes often and somehow ended up in the X Games a few times. Facebook him if needed.
Cody York
From Cleveland, Ohio, Cody was raised on a steady diet of backyard jumps and skateparks and his photos have graced the pages of Ride BMX, BMX Plus!, Ride UK, and Dig magazines. Got something to share? cyorkphoto@me.com
Mark Noble
Mark is from the U.K., and has over 28+ years experience in BMX. He has launched, published, edited and written for more BMX mags than you can shake a bike at. He also runs Deluxe BMX.
Nick Ferreira
Nick Ferreira is a BMXer, photographer and zine maker from Taunton, MA. He has been extolling the merits of tucks and tabes in print and online for the better part of the past 10 years.
Pat Nugent
Born and raised on Long Island, the only outlet to BMX that Patrick grew up knowing was racing. For a while, he got into all those weird forms of BMX, but eventually returned to the race scene. He enjoys shooting races and snaking practice laps.
Steve Crandall
Hails from Ithaca, NY, created FBM in '93, paints pictures of eggs, soup and pigeons in his spare time, throws down a mean tabletop.
