| The BMX bike has enjoyed a remarkable rise to | | | | host of off road places to ride, the BMX is very |
| fame. Thought to have originated in southern | | | | versatile with both freestyle and racing versions of |
| California nearly 40 years ago and now taking its | | | | the sport competing to high levels pretty much world |
| place across the world in China's hosting of the | | | | wide. |
| Olympic Games is nothing short of astonishing. | | | | In June 2008, 45 spots were awarded to 17 nations |
| BMX or bicycle motocross to give its full name has | | | | for the Elite men category and 11 nations in the Elite |
| become an Olympic sport for the first time in 2008. | | | | women category for the Beijing Games. This year its |
| BMX bikes first burst onto the scene in the early | | | | only the racing side of BMX that the Olympics is |
| seventies and have grown in popularity ever since, | | | | hosting but it is probably only a matter of time as |
| culminating in this year's debut appearance at the | | | | the BMX profile goes from strength to strength |
| Beijing Olympic Games. | | | | before the sport enjoys even more events and |
| Growing interest in extreme sports generally has | | | | exposure at future Games. |
| clearly helped this two wheeled (in particular where | | | | Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st August 2008 |
| freestyle is concerned) success story. Video game | | | | were the dates all BMX fans worldwide were looking |
| culture has also encouraged interest with a string of | | | | forward to as their beloved sport made its bow at |
| BMX titles in recent years, some of which I have | | | | the Olympics with qualifying, seeding and quarter final |
| enjoyed playing myself. The positive sales figures | | | | runs all taking place for both men and women on day |
| from these games, in turn making some riders | | | | one. |
| household names and celebrities, far beyond what | | | | So it's welcome to the Olympic Games for all things |
| could have been imagined when kids first started | | | | BMX. The wheels are showing no signs of slowing |
| asking Santa Claus for a BMX at Christmas. | | | | down, let alone falling off. |
| Relatively small and easy to manoeuvre and with a | | | | |