Team Canada BMXer Tory Nyhaug going for gold in Rio
Tory Nyhaug will be representing Canada at the Rio Olympic Games in Cycling BMX (which stands for bicycle motocross), and he’s definitely one to watch.
If you’re not familiar with this exciting sport, here’s how Olympic.ca describes it: “BMX is the newest Olympic cycling discipline and made its debut at Beijing 2008. Riders compete on short tracks that include jumps, bumps, and tight, banked corners. Eight riders line up side-by-side at the start gate at the top of a steep ramp. When the gate drops, they accelerate down the ramp onto the track, and race shoulder-to-shoulder to the finish. The overall length of a BMX track is between 300 and 400 metres, meaning each race takes about 40 seconds to complete. The men’s track may include slightly bigger jumps than the women’s track.”
BMX requires balance, coordination, endurance, and agility.
This will be Tory’s second Olympic Games. He was the only Canadian BMX racer at the 2012 London Games and was still recovering from surgery to remove a ruptured spleen when he competed. He also won gold at the 2015 PanAm Games in Toronto. Get to know more about Tory below and then cheer him on with your kids.
When did you first realize you loved your sport? How did you know?
I loved riding my bike from the first time I started to pedal.
What is one way, outside of sport, that being physically literate has helped you?
If I’ve been stressed or having a hard time about something in my life, being active has helped me move past it and enjoy my life.
When you aren’t participating in your sport, what is your favourite way to be active?
I like to go for bike rides with my family, play golf, or do something unique outdoors and enjoy nature.
Tell us one thing you remember your parents doing that encouraged you or helped you to keep active.
My parents always played softball and when I was a kid I loved going to the park with them and running around.
What’s the most important thing you can share with the kids who look up to you?
Find a sport you love to do and enjoy it. No matter the level you achieve always focus on doing your best and the rest will take care of itself.
If your child is inspired by Tory and is interested in BMX, the first step is to be confident on a bike. Here are some related articles and activities:
