TULSA, Okla. — The BMX Hall of Fame Museum hosted a watch party for the four Americans who qualified for the BMX racing semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
FOX23 spoke to staff and attendees and learned how it feels to see their favorite racers compete.
After speaking with staff and attendees, there's no doubt that special isn't the only way to describe today's races.
On the last day of the USA BMX Summer Camp, students got to celebrate by having a BMX Olympics watch party.
Tyler Russell, programs manager with USA BMX Foundation, said many of the kids had never been on a BMX track before the camp.
"It's cool to have these kids ride on the same track that the pros, national and Olympic team racers train on. They're literally on the same track that these Olympians were on, just two weeks ago,” Russell said.
Phillip Despopoulos' 9-year-old son Skyler has been racing competitively since he was 4 years old and has met two of the Olympic racers.
"It's so awesome to have a personal connection and have with the riders and that's what has been so great about our journey in BMX and as a whole is how accessible everybody is. It's not every sport do you get to share the same playing field for practice, for anything. Then, be able to hang out after a race and talk with the professional athletes at the top of the top,” Despopoulos said.
No matter the result of the races, it's the kids seeing their inspiration compete in the Olympics that makes it special.
"Regardless if you're 4 years old or 70 years old, you're out there having fun on two wheels,” Despopoulos said.
"It's great. I would love to see some of these kids go on to become a racer and maybe one day they could be an Olympian as well,” Russell said.
Even though Team USA didn't take home any medals for BMX, camp organizers said it's great to see people of all ages come together to enjoy a sport they love.
Registration for next year's USA BMX Summer Camp will be open in February.
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