BMX Olympic Debut Sees 4 US Riders Advance

Super sweep remains possible as men survive flashy crashes
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 21, 2008 5:43 AM CDT
BMX Olympic Debut Sees 4 US Riders Advance
A worker removes water from the BMX course after the semifinals and finals of the women's and men's cycling BMX competitions at the Summer Olympics were postponed for one day.   (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

BMX proved that it deserves its debut as an Olympic sport, with an exciting day full of crashes and injuries. All three American men made it through their qualifying heats, some more battered than others. On the women's side, Jill Kintner won the right to represent the US in the finals of the event that involves tiny bikes and big jumps.

"I felt super today," said Mike Day, who won all three of his qualifying heats. Teammate Donny Robinson took a tumble in one race but made up for it in his other runs, and Kyle Baxter looked in top form until a hard crash left him with a separated shoulder. With rain delaying the semifinals, Baxter may have enough time to heal.
(More 2008 Beijing Olympics stories.)

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