OLYMPICS BMX. The United States ended its gold medal drought in BMX racing after Connor Fields won the men's Olympic final in the American-born sport on Friday, while Mariana Pajon of Colombia successfully defended her title in the women's final.

Connor Fields leads the field in the men's final (Photo: Getty Images/Phil Walter)

US cyclist Alise Post took silver behind Pajon, while Stefany Hernandez of Venezuela won bronze.

A fan favourite, Pajon raised her bike in the air after pedalling to a stop across the finish line, acknowledging the adoring crowd in the stands waving the yellow, blue and red flag of her home country.

Fields was just as jubilant after racing to the front and holding off Dutch rider Jelle van Gorkom at the finish line to take the gold.

"It is a moment that I dreamed about since I was 15 years old," he said. "To finally hear the words 'Olympic champion' and then my name, it honestly feels like a dream. But tomorrow I am going to wake up, and it is going to be real."

There was a photo finish for third, with Carlos Ramirez Yepes of Colombia just edging out American Nic Long for the bronze.

The USA won two bronzes and a silver medal when BMX made its Olympic debut at Beijing 2008, but went home empty handed from London 2012.

It had been a trying few months for Fields, who broke a bone in his left hand in the spring. He only returned to the bike in June, and needed a special brace to compete in Rio.

Colombian passion

The reigning world champion, Pajon enjoyed home-continent advantage and acknowledged loud fans who wore Team Colombia shirts. Pajon rode to the front early in each of her three semi-final heats, and never looked back, neither after the first turn in the final.

"This is better than anything," said Pajon. "It's so beautiful. Already to win two gold medals it's just crazy. I raced well. I feel like I was at home with so many Colombian fans in the grandstands. It filled me with energy."

Pajon is a star in Colombia, so much so that a BMX track has been named in her honour. She won a world title on that course in May and will now return to Medellin with her second Olympic gold medal.

By Associated Press
19/08/2016 17H33