America’s first BMX Freestyle Olympic Training Center is right here in Utah

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah ( ABC4 ) — Utah is quickly building its reputation for being the “ State of Sport ” with a little something for everyone from skiing and snowboarding to climbing and more. Now, add BMX Freestyle to that list.

Earlier this week, USA Cycling announced it has built the first-ever BMX Freestyle Olympic Training Facility in South Jordan. The state-of-the-art venue has already been in use by Team USA as a practice spot for BMX Freestyle athletes in preparation for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

USA Cycling said the facility provides the BMX Freestyle team a home, which is something they did not have before.

“We are thrilled to finally unveil this groundbreaking training venue,” said Jim Miller, USA Cylcing’s Chief of Sports Performance. “Our athletes now have access to a world-class facility that has undoubtedly enhanced their Olympic preparation.”

Team USA Olympians Hannah Roberts, Perris Benegas, Justin Dowell, and Marcus Christopher have been training at the facility since it’s completion in March. With Olympic training in progress, USA Cycling kept the facility under wraps.

The facility holds every possible feature that could appear in an Olympic competition within the 34-foot tall, 18,000-square-foot space. USA Cycling said a local crew of just six full-time laborers worked on the site every day for a full six weeks to put the facility together.

“We were asked, ‘What obstacles do you want?’ Being able to have a say in the design makes it even more special,” said Roberts, adding she was amazed when she first saw the facility. “There isn’t a skate park in the world that can prepare you better than this one. This is exactly what we needed to gain an advantage.”

“I think it’s great to have a place where we can all come together and push each other and motivate each other,” said Benegas. “The fact that these ramps exist and this is our home base is just unbelievable.”

BMX Freestyle debuted at the Olympic Games at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. Roberts secured the country’s first Olympic medal in the sport , earning the silver medal. Benegas nearly snagged bronze, falling just .7 points behind the podium.

Both Roberts and Benegas along with Dowell and Christopher will represent Team USA in the BMX Freestyle Park event on July 30 and July 31.

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