It all started with a Christmas gift—a gleaming new BMX bike that sparked a dream. At the age of eight, Kieran Reilly arrived at Leam Lane skate park on Boxing Day, and as he tentatively navigated the ramps and banks, he could hardly have anticipated the winding journey ahead, leading him from chilly Gateshead to the searing heat of Paris, ultimately earning an Olympic silver medal.
Disappointment lingered after a breathtaking and exhilarating second run that many at La Concorde, including Reilly, believed should have secured the BMX freestyle gold. However, the five judges had a different opinion, awarding the victory to an overjoyed José Torres Gil, marking Argentina’s first gold medal of the Games, with Anthony Jeanjean taking the bronze for the host nation.
In the aftermath, British social media seemed to swarm with newfound BMX experts, all condescendingly highlighting the judging errors they believed robbed Reilly of his deserved gold. Meanwhile, on French television, the commentators, in excitement over Jeanjean’s bronze, claimed he had been “robbed”.
BMX freestyle, unlike other judged sports with strict technical standards, is evaluated mainly on aesthetics. There’s no points system, no mandatory components, and while the UCI provides guidelines on what to reward—difficulty, originality, amplitude, risk, variety, personal style, and the utilization of the entire course—the scoring is fundamentally based on overall “impression.” Debating the outcome can feel as subjective as defining art.
Nonetheless, to argue about fractions is to overlook the essence of the spectacle. For these athletes—who tour the globe together, motivate one another, and forge strong connections through shared experiences—this is as much a celebration as it is a competition. The excitement lies in the performance as much as in victory, reveling in the sheer joy of flight and creativity, of taking two wheels and accomplishing something unprecedented.
Reilly expressed no grievances following the event. “Whatever score I received, I was going to be content,” he said. “I thought it might have been enough for gold, but it wasn’t. Still, I’m just as pleased. I’ve dedicated three years to reach this point. Much of it boils down to one minute on that course, and I gave it my all.”
One consensus emerged: this was the most extraordinary freestyle competition ever witnessed. “Probably the best final we’ve ever experienced on the international stage,” said Jeanjean. “Compared to World Cups and continental competitions, this one surpasses them all,” remarked Reilly. “You saw everyone leave and put in extensive efforts to debut new and higher levels of riding. That’s what we witnessed.”
Reilly’s run featured one of the most elaborate tricks: a 720 double tail-whip. Here’s a breakdown for novices: you start by executing a 180-degree turn on the bike, then dismount and spin the bike around twice before jumping back on and completing a 540-degree rotation, all while ensuring a clean landing on both wheels—remarkably performed approximately 20 feet in the air, under the scorching 35°C heat, with burning legs and lungs pleading for respite.
Should you fall, the consequences are evident. This was the unfortunate outcome for defending champion Logan Martin from Australia, who fell during his first run and lost control in his second. Thus, the vital qualities for success involve not just skill but also boldness, not merely creativity but also bravery—the ability to transform fear into something beautiful. While Reilly attempted to complete the world’s first triple flair two years ago, he crash-landed about 30 times, bearing the scars as proof.
Despite this, freestyle is rapidly evolving, where the only limit is imagination. Torres has his signature 720, a double backflip that makes him appear to spin the bike on his finger as if it were a pizza. Jeanjean’s audacious reverse 720 transfer—a double backflip while leaping from one ramp to another—was possibly the standout trick of the day, an impressive feat that captivated the audience in Paris.
As for Reilly, who relocated from the north-east to Corby due to limited BMX facilities, there are greater ambitions ahead. “Coming from Newcastle, there’s not much available for BMX,” he mentioned. “I had to move, which was not my initial desire. I hope kids in Newcastle saw what unfolded today and are inspired to take up BMX.” Just like the young boy unwrapping his gifts on Christmas morning, taking the first steps on a wondrous journey.
