Surprise in the USA with their team for the Olympics

The American Federation has just announced its four cyclists for the Paris Olympics in the mountain bike event and there is a surprise. Savilia Blunk and Riley Amos will make their Olympic debut while Haley Batten and Christopher Blevins will lead the team.

USA already has its Olympic mountain bike team for Paris 2024

With this selection, the USA is betting on a combination of youth and experience, with Haley Batten (26) and Savilia Blunk (25) for the women's event and Chris Blevins (26) and Riley Amos (22) for the men's event, but at the same time leaving out the former world champion Kate Courtney, 29 years old. Despite not having had great continuity during the Olympic selection period, Courtney has been the one who has earned the most points for her team during the qualification.

On the other hand, Batten and Blunk are having a promising start to the 2024 season with Batten's victories in the Araxa World Cup and Blunk's podium finishes in the Araxa and Mairipora World Cup events.

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"My Olympic journey has been incredible. Through injuries, personal growth, and relentless hard work, I am proud to earn my place to represent the USA team in Paris," said Batten after her selection was announced.

"Competing in the Olympic Games is something I have dreamed of since my first race in the NorCal NICA league. When I was 15, this dream felt almost inconceivable. I knew it would take a lot of hard work, but what was even harder to find in the process was the team support, resources, and funding to reach the biggest stage," explained Blunk.

In the men's category, Blevins was a sure bet after winning the Short Track World Championship in 2021 or more recently winning the XCO World Cup in Mairipora.

"The magnitude of the Olympic Games is one of the most special things an athlete can experience. Being part of the USA team is a celebration that extends beyond yourself, and there is a whole team giving their best in the sport we love. I was proud to have been in Tokyo 2021, and now, perhaps even more so to be in my second Olympic Games, with the opportunity to give it all for a medal on July 29 in Paris. Mountain biking is growing at an exciting pace in the United States, and I know these Games will be another step in that direction," said Blevins.

Amos is dominating the Under-23 category in the World Cup and was another almost certain cyclist for the team, although he still doesn't seem to believe it.

"I don't think I have fully realized that I will be representing my country in Paris this summer. I think when I feel the atmosphere and experience it for the first time, I will assimilate it."

Here you can check all the dates and schedules for the cyclists at the Paris Olympics.