There was a triple threat for Team LGBTQ in the Olympic women’s BMX freestyle final. Two riders claimed medals, including American Perris Benegas. The third — favorite Hannah Roberts — suffered a cruel fate.
Benegas of Team USA delivered a superb second run that scored 90.70 at the Place de la Concorde in Paris Wednesday, propelling her into the silver-medal spot.
She was cheered on throughout by her girlfriend, Mikaela Herres, and their congratulatory kiss was snapped and sent around the world by photographers.
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There was also a podium spot for Australia’s Natalya Diehm, courtesy of an 88.80 in the first round. Her bronze also goes onto the Team LGBTQ medal tally; gold went to Chinese teenager Deng Yawen, competing at her first Olympic Games.
There was huge disappointment, however, for Hannah Roberts, who took silver in Tokyo and had been hotly tipped for an upgrade, having won five Urban World Championship titles between 2017 and 2023.
The 22-year-old had topped the seedings Tuesday but suffered a crash during the practice session immediately before the final.
Roberts appeared to have shrugged that off in her first run but towards the end, she tried a front flip and fell hard.
That piled on the pressure for her second run — the last of the whole competition — but within seconds, she put her foot down for a landing, ending her medal bid and confirming the top three.
As for Benegas, silver will taste particularly sweet after a long battle with injuries that at one point risked putting the 29-year-old from Reno, Nev., out of the Paris Olympics altogether. Her second run had as much air as her first, but more style.
Benegas had been fourth in Tokyo, one place ahead of Diehm, who has had a staggering five knee reconstructions and is still only 26.
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There is a close bond of friendship between all three riders.
After clinching bronze, Diehm told Channel Nine in Australia: “I have dreamed of this so long. I was there thinking I know I am third, until Hannah had to go, and she is my best friend.
“But I wanted this so bad. This is my first medal ever in a competition and what better way to do it than in an Olympic Games.”
