How is BMX freestyle superstar Hannah Roberts' progression toward Olympic gold shaping up?
At the mid point between the end of Tokyo 2020 and the start of Paris 2024, where does the US Olympic silver medallist sit in terms of her golden quest?
Cycling BMX Freestyle
“I’M BACK,” shouted Hannah Roberts in full caps on an Instagram post on 31 August 2021 as the BMX freestyle Olympic silver medallist returned to social media following a break post Tokyo 2020.
“I’ve been away from social media for a few weeks, trying to get my head on straight again,” wrote the American. “The journey to Tokyo and the experience is supposed to make you the strongest you have ever been. There was a lot of mental and physical battles but I wouldn’t take it back! I had a blast and I’m proud to see where I started. I took some time to heal both physically and mentally and I’m pumped to be back able to ride again!”
The three-time world champion had come away from the sport’s Olympic debut with an unexpected second place after Charlotte Worthington smashed her last run to snatch gold with a score of 97.50. The Briton had to land the first-ever 360 backflip in the women’s event to beat the sparkling first run by Roberts, who had scored what looked like a winning mark of 96.10.
Roberts was magnanimous in defeat saying: “I couldn’t be more proud to be here at the first Olympics for our sport. Charlotte put down a phenomenal run, I’m so proud of her, and everybody killed it today… so I’m stoked and honoured to take second.”
Yet with gold likely the aim at Paris 2024, how has Roberts progressed from a first-ever post-Olympics come-down to the halfway point of the next Games?
Hannah Roberts: Hometown hero
Immediately after her first Olympic experience, Roberts returned to her hometown of Buchanan, Michigan. Having the time to relax with family and friends was an expected part of her downtime; being invited to throw out the first pitch on Labor Day weekend at local baseball club, South Bend Cubs, not so much.
The town had hosted a watch party during the Games, with almost 1,400 people turning up, so the local community was fully invested in their new Olympic hero’s exploits. Hannah Roberts Day has even been implemented, an official decree stating:
“The City of Buchanan wants to acknowledge that Hannah Roberts has proven herself an amazing athlete and role model for our local youth. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City of Buchanan Commission, on the eve of her birthday, proclaims that the 10th of August each year shall henceforth forever be celebrated “Hannah Roberts Day” in the city of Buchanan.”
Back to the day job for Hannah Roberts
Before long it was back to the bike and in early October, Roberts took to the ramps for the first drop-in since Tokyo. Filming the first foray back was coach and fellow pro BMX rider Ryan Nyquist. Such an important part of Roberts’ journey, that she secretly flew to a USA Cycling coaching-staff strategy summit to present an award to the 16-time X-Games medallist. The Order of Ikkos was created by the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee in 2008, and is presented by Team USA medal-winning athletes to a coach, mentor or other individual who has been instrumental in their success.
"I flew out to surprise @ryannyquist with the medal of Ikkos. This medal represents my gratitude for his amazing ability to work with me through my good and bad days for the last four years!" Roberts said. "Without your patience I definitely would not be where I am in life both on and off my bike. You have went way above and beyond what is expected from a coach and I am extremely honored to have worked with you!"
Hannah Roberts' rollercoaster ride
Before long, new tricks and lines were being practiced and the flow returned. Unfortunately, and perhaps inevitably on an Olympian’s journey, injuries have featured, too. Roberts dislocated her shoulder at a Team USA training camp in March, so already the slog of recovery has been part of the journey and just as Roberts was getting back into the swing of things, too.
By May, Roberts was competing in the first UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup of the season, coming fourth in Montpellier, France, before topping the table in Brussels, Belgium the following month. A third place in the Gold Coast in Australia in December, in the final event on the calendar, was preceded by an unprecedented fourth BMX freestyle park title at the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in Abu Dhabi in November.
However, a fall at worlds compounded a previous injury sustained months earlier.
An end-of-year video round-up by Roberts updated followers on a hard fall in training in September, which left two bulging discs in her back. A month off to recover followed, in which she withdrew from social media again for "mental health and personal stuff". Roberts had headed to worlds despite not being at full fitness, and a further fall in Australia set her back. The rest of the year was a recuperation period.
However, being home for the holiday season was a bonus, as was meeting her new nephew. Before long, a plethora of throw-back feel-good training videos followed. Roberts was itching to get back to it.
Heading into the season-opener at the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, taking place 15-18 February 2023, there's ultimately only one thing for Roberts to remember – the love for her sport – and that appears nailed on based on a post in early February. Featuring Roberts astride her bike beaming at the camera, she captioned the post:
“There is honestly no better feeling in the world.”
Complete schedule of the BMX freestyle World Cup 2023
15-18 February 2023: Diriyah (Saudi Arabia)
17-21 May 2023: Montpellier (France)
6-9 July 2023: Brussels (Belgium)