Haley Batten made history for Team USA by securing a silver medal in the women’s mountain biking cross-country event on Sunday.
This marked the highest finish for an American mountain biker in Olympic history for this discipline.
However, her time in France will cost her a bit financially.
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Haley Batten of the United States of America during the Women’s Cycling Mountain Bike Women’s Cross-country on Day 2 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Elancourt Hill on July 28, 2024 in Élancourt, France. (Henk Jan Dijks/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Batten was fined approximately $565 for a violation during the final lap, where she veered into an area designated for food intake or mechanical stops while competing for second place against Sweden’s Jenny Rissveds.
The judges concluded that Batten had violated only one rule—namely, a failure to “respect the instructions of the race organization or commissaries.” Despite this, her breach was not deemed severe enough for disqualification.
Both Batten and Rissveds secured their places behind France’s Pauline Ferrand-Prevot.
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Haley Batten, of the United States, competes in the women’s mountain bike cycling event at the 2024 Summer Olympics on Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Elancourt, France. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
“I was focused on this race before Tokyo,” Batten stated. “I’ve known for a long time that I could excel here, and while I aimed for the podium in Tokyo, I wasn’t fully prepared. This time around, I was better equipped to achieve my best. My preparations involved meticulous details, continuous study, and annual improvement.”
During the competition, Batten also faced a tire puncture, but she was fortunate to have American mechanics nearby who quickly assisted her in changing it.
The only other medals captured by American cyclists in this event have been bronze, won by Susan DeMattei in 1996 and Georgia Gould in 2012.
“Competing on a single day is incredibly challenging, and everyone at the Olympics is at the pinnacle of their sport,” Batten noted.
From left to right, silver medalist Haley Batten of the U.S., gold medalist Pauline Ferrand Prevot of France, and bronze medalist Jenny Rissveds of Sweden celebrate on the podium after the women’s cross-country mountain biking event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Elancourt Hill venue in Elancourt, on July 28, 2024. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Everyone is strong and fit, well-prepared to perform at their best. For me, it’s crucial to clear my mind and be ready to race without distractions before or during the event—a truly incredible experience.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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