The format for BMX racing, with one event each for men and women, remained the same as it had when the sport was introduced to the Olympic program in 2008. Both the BMX racing and freestyle events were held at the Ariake Urban Sports Park, a venue built specifically for the Tokyo Games. The time-trial run from previous editions was eliminated, leaving three rounds of competition, with riders advancing from the quarter and semifinals based on the results of three races, while the final consisted of a single race across the 400 metres (1,300 feet) course. Defending Olympic champions Connor Fields of the United States and Mariana Pajón of Colombia were both in Tokyo to defend their titles, although Fields experienced a serious accident in the semifinals, allowing for a victory by the Netherlands’ Niek Kimmann, while Pajón had to settle for silver behind Great Britain’s Beth Shriever. These three nations took the other podium spots as well, with Merel Smulders of the Netherlands taking bronze in the women’s race and Kye Whyte of Great Britain and Carlos Ramírez of Colombia taking silver and bronze respectively in the men’s contest.
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