With Beth Shriever MBE having taken time out from BMX racing at the end of last year after fracturing her collarbone at the 2024 UCI BMX World Championships in May, she competed at the European Cup in Verona earlier this year, coming 2nd in Round 1 and 1st in Round 2. Beth competed at her second Olympic Games for Team GB last year in Paris, qualifying for the final, after becoming the Olympic champion at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, which led to her being awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours, which she received at Windsor Castle. Amongst Beth’s further competitions, she became World champion in 2023 at the UCI BMX World Championships in Glasgow, and previously in 2021, and she won Gold at the 2022 European BMX Championships in Dessel. Answering our questions, Beth chatted to us about competing at this year’s European Cup in Verona, becoming Olympic champion for Team GB at Tokyo 2020 and reaching the final at Paris last summer and being World champion in both 2021 and 2023.
In March, you finished 2nd in Round 1 and 1st in Round 2 at the European Cup in Verona, can you tell us about your time at this competition?
I had a great time, took me a little longer to settle into the race environment again as it had been so long, but once racing started I was back into the swing of things.
How has it been getting back to racing, having taken time out at the end of last year to recover from a fractured collarbone injury that you picked up at the 2024 UCI BMX World Championships in May?
It’s been great, loved every second of racing so far, I’m looking forward to getting to the first rounds of the World Cup series as that’s where you can really see where you’re at based on the competition around you.
You competed at your second Olympic Games last summer in Paris, what did you enjoy most about racing at the VĂ©lodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and how was it qualifying for the final?
It was amazing, the track suited my riding style to a T, so I was super confident and comfortable when it came to riding the track, I think it’s actually one of my favourites on the circuit. Qualifying couldn’t have gone any better for me, I went into each round with no expectations and to just do my best and I managed to win every single round up until the final.
How different did you find the atmosphere in Paris opposed to the Olympics in Tokyo during the coronavirus pandemic, and what is it like staying in the Olympic athletes village?
I didn’t stay in the village due to our venue being too far out. The atmosphere was insane, the French love cycling so there was a lot of passion and excitement in the crowd, I’ve never experienced anything like it.
What are some of your stand-out memories from making your Olympic debut in 2021 and how is it being selected to represent Team GB at the Olympics?
I think a stand out memory would just be how me and my teammates embraced the whole experience. Getting to mingle with other athletes from different sports is pretty cool and there’s no better feeling than representing Team GB. The kit, the people and the support is out of this world and I’m so, so grateful to have been a part of it all.
How did you feel becoming Olympic champion in Tokyo and what was it like standing on the podium to receive your medal?
It was crazy. I couldn’t believe it. The day couldn’t have gone any better and to get a Gold at my first Olympics was something I only dreamed of. Very, very surreal moment, but something I’ll cherish forever.
You won Gold at the 2023 UCI BMX World Championships, having also been World champion in 2021 and junior World champion in 2017, what was it like winning Gold in Glasgow in front of a home crowd and what are the World Championships like to compete at?
I would say it was up there with winning my Gold in Tokyo. Having my family and friends there made it even more special. When the pressure was at its highest, I managed to deliver on the day and win my second elite rainbow jersey, I was beyond pleased! Again, a day I’ll remember forever.
How was your time racing at the 2022 European BMX Championships in Dessel, where you came away with Gold?
It was great, I wanted to get the title as I’d never achieved this at elite level, so to hold my nerve and perform the way I did was the cherry on top of a very, very successful year.
How do you prepare for major international races and how do you stay focused during competitions?
A lot of training is involved. Picking the right moment to taper down and be in the best shape possible. Eating a healthy and balanced diet so I’m fuelled and can recovery properly. I have a lot of psychological queues that help me to stay calm and focused on a race day, it’s what works for me and helps me to manage my nerves and focus on the job in hand.
You were awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours, how was it visiting Windsor Castle to receive the medal?
It was a very surreal experience, you don’t know what comes with winning a Gold medal, so when I received this honour, I was shocked. The day itself was incredible and I got to share it with my mum, dad and boyfriend.
How did you get into BMX racing and was it always something you wanted to do at elite level?
It was always the dream to become professional and do it as my full-time job. I got into the sport through my youngest brother Luke, we got invited to the track one day and fell in love with it.
Can you tell us what a typical training day looks like for you, and how much has it changed over time?
It depends what part of the season we are, but if it’s winter, there’s a lot of training, double days which include gym in the morning and track in the afternoon. But as we approach an important race, training becomes a lot less and we freshen up just at the right time.
Do you have any competitions coming up that you can tell us about or that you are targeting?
The main ones are the World Cups, which I’m hoping to do well at. Then the World Championships and European Championships are the two races I will be at my peak, ready to battle it out for the jerseys.
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