A skateboard and music festival that launched the career of Olympic BMX Freestyle champion Charlotte Worthington was cancelled this year due to rising costs.

Unexpected Olympic Glory

But the 28-year-old wheelie wonder will always be grateful to the previously annual event in Somerset for setting her on the road to success.

Three years ago in Tokyo, Worthington claimed one of Team GB’s 22 gold medals but notably the first ever by a Brit and in a sport making its Games debut.

Now, she heads to Paris looking to defend a crown she never expected to wear as a teenager growing up in Manchester.

A Late Start in BMX

“I didn’t pick up BMX full-time until I was 19,” says Worthington, then working as a chef. “I used to ride scooters before.”

“It is the same kind of sport with the same basics. It hinders you in some ways, but it massively benefits you in others,” she told SportsBoom.com.

“At the time, I worked in a kitchen so it was something like a new hobby I enjoyed and thought, I might be quite good at this.”

“Then, I went to this festival called NAAS festival which was probably the biggest action sports competition at the time.”

A Life-Changing Festival Encounter

“I bumped into a few people who happened to tell me British Cycling was forming an Olympic team for the Tokyo Games and here was a number to call.”

“I thought ‘worst case scenario I get a free trip to North Carolina with my bike and meet some cool people.’ As it happened, I got the trip and got selected for the team.”

Seizing the Opportunity

Worthington made the most of her opportunity, securing top spot on the podium, helped by a groundbreaking 360-degree backflip-the first ever by a female rider.

The intervening years have seen her re-think her career and focus. With only modest results to rely on, Worthington’s place in the squad was only confirmed at the start of July.

She expects competition to be much fiercer than it was in the Japanese capital.

But win or lose, Worthington knows her talents lie away from the kitchen.

From the Kitchen to Tokyo and Beyond

“I started as a glass collector because my dad was asking around if anyone had any work as a side job,” she recalls of her time in a variety of South Manchester restaurants.

“But I didn’t have any ideas about becoming a chef. It was fun for a little bit while I did it, but I wouldn’t want to do it for the rest of my life.”

“At College, I was interested in cameras and studied photography and media. I thought I might be interested in filming or video editing.”

“When I started to do it as a job, I didn’t enjoy it as much. I liked to do things in my own way rather than make something someone else wanted.”

Preparing for Paris 2024

But she knows all cameras will be locked onto to her later this month looking to capture any new trick that might help her retain her Olympic title.

Worthington is an athlete ambassador for Bridgestone. Bridgestone is a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner and have announced its ‘Prepared to Perform’ campaign for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Through this campaign, Bridgestone wants to honour and highlight the diligence and determination of athletes on their way to the Olympic and Paralympic Games and supports them in their preparation for Paris 2024.

As athlete ambassador, Charlotte Worthington personifies the effort, dedication and perseverance needed to become a champion.

With thanks to Sportsboom.com

Shriever went unbeaten through her three semi-final runs and surged out the start gate to open up a lead on her rivals in the medal race.

While Colombia’s Marian Pajon came charging round the final corner, former world junior champion Shriever crossed the line just 0.090 seconds ahead.

Whyte also got a flying start in his race and was always in the medal places, as Netherlands’ Niek Kimmann took gold.

Shriever, 22, from Finchingfield, Essex, said: “Honestly, I’m in shock. To even be here is an achievement in itself. To make a final is another achievement – to come away with a medal, let alone a gold medal, I’m so over the moon.

“I owe a lot of it to everyone. It just means so much, I’m so grateful for the support, for everyone waking up at home, I’m overwhelmed.

“Results are out of our control so gold isn’t a set goal. It was about keeping to my routine around the track, I managed to hold on and take the win. It’s crazy, actually crazy.

“I was watching Kye and I was almost crying when he got a silver. I had to keep my cool, reset and dig in. I had no legs, I gave it everything I got.

“I had nothing left, the lactic acid. I gave it actually everything I had, and I was rewarded.”

Shriever was cheered on at the finish line by Whyte who, just moments before, had won Team GB’s first medal in BMX Racing.

Whyte was fourth ahead of his third semi-final run but won the final race to fly into the final, where a one-race shootout would decide the medals.

He didn’t leave anything out there to chance, finishing just 0.114 seconds behind Dutch rider Kimmann to take silver on his Games debut.

Whyte, 21, from Peckham, said: “He [Kimmann] was the better man on the day. I had a flying start but I overjumped the second jump. I would have gone to war with him if we’d both landed smooth but it wasn’t to be.

“I was making continuous mistakes but it’s a learning curve, it only my first Olympics. If there was ten more yards, maybe it would have been a gold, I’ll accept the silver though. I was telling myself, ‘I’m going to get a medal’.

“I couldn’t speak [to my family] I was holding back the tears and it wasn’t working. I saw my brother [Tre, former World Championship medallist in the event] and family and all the kids staying up to 5am.”

Courtesy of Team GB