- Initially took the lead with a score of 88.80 on her first attempt
- Ranked behind China’s Yawen Deng and the USA’s Perris Benegas
- The bronze medal was clinched after her best friend couldn’t surpass her score
BMX freestyle competitor Natalya Diehm has contributed to Australia’s Olympic medal count in Paris by winning a bronze medal.
The 26-year-old from Queensland started strong, achieving a score of 88.80 on her initial run, but was soon surpassed by China’s Yawen Deng, who scored 92.50.
Diehm just fell short in her second attempt with a score of 87.70.
She was aware that a medal was guaranteed if her close friend and competitor, Team USA’s Hannah Roberts, didn’t exceed her score on the final attempt.
‘I’ve imagined this moment for so long. I kept telling myself, I know I’m in third place, I know I’m in third place, and it wasn’t until Hannah’s turn that I realized that while she’s my best friend, I wanted this medal so badly. Until I got it, I didn’t know what to think,’ Diehm expressed to Nine after her victory.
‘This is my very first medal in a competition, and what better stage for it than the Olympic Games.’
Deng secured gold, slightly improving her earlier score, while Perris Benegas from the USA took home silver with a score of 90.70 on her second run.
Diehm, who qualified in eighth place, managed to excel during the finals, setting a high standard right from the start with a remarkable first run that exceeded her best scores from previous days.
While several of her top rivals experienced falls and errors in this high-stakes cycling event, Diehm executed two impressive runs in the intense heat at La Concorde in Paris.
Overjoyed with her performance, Diehm shared her joy.
Aussie freestyle BMX rider Natalya Diehm was happy to see her best friend fail
Diehm snared a bronze medal in Paris on Wednesday after Hannah Roberts fell
The American’s failed second run meant that the bronze was going home with Diehm
‘I have envisioned this moment for a long time,’ she told Channel Nine afterwards.
‘I’m at a loss for words.’
‘This marks my first medal in any competition, and what a better occasion to achieve it than at the Olympic Games.’
Having undergone five knee reconstructions, Diehm shared that the excellent runs she delivered were a long time in the making.
‘I had that front flip down pat for the last Olympics, but I’ve only just pulled it off three years later. I worked really hard, and the moment I took off, I knew it was my best one ever. I nailed it and just held on for dear life,’ she stated.
Diehm had words of encouragement for future BMX riders in Australia.
‘Keep dreaming. Dare to dream,’ she advised.
‘It might take time, it may come sooner than expected, but I’ve been riding since I was eight years old.’
Natalya Diehm celebrates after scoring a spot on the medal podium
Diehm secured her spot in the medal round on Wednesday after qualifying in eighth with an average of 83.89 across her two runs.
Fellow Australian rider Logan Martin aims to defend his BMX freestyle Olympic title later today.
With Diehm’s achievement, Australia currently stands fifth in the medal count with six golds, four silvers, and two bronzes.
