While Colombia currently has the most Olympic medals for BMX racing, Australia is still a definite contender with a promising cohort in Paris this year, Buchanan says. “We’ve got two really strong candidates for medals in Saya Sakakibara and Izaac Kennedy. They’re both fresh off their most consistent years ever, winning the overall World Cup tour, so I think we’ve got great odds.”
For Buchanan, the Olympics’ push to include events that appeal to a youthful audience – such as BMX, skateboarding and new additions sport climbing and breaking – has increased respect for action sports.
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“I was fortunate that I was part of that first Olympic Games movement for action sport. BMX racing was the outcast of the Olympics and I think now there really is that credibility for these new action sports that they are professional sports, they are elite trained athletes. I’m so glad that they’re getting that credibility now on an Olympic stage, not just an X Games or Red Bull stage. It’s awesome that the Olympics is actually recognising these really fun, fast action sport events, because it is that new wave.”
Buchanan feels privileged to be able to share her sport on the global stage to diehard fans and viewers who might never have watched before. “Our job is to help everyone understand the moves, the winning, the mental side, the riding, everything going on. So tune in and I think you’re going to be excited for the adrenaline and the emotions. That’s the power of the Olympics every four years. Sport has the ability to connect everyone, and it’s a universal global language.”
