Fil-Am BMX rider falls short in quest for Tokyo Olympics qualification

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipino-American BMX rider Patrick Coo fell short in punching a ticket to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The 19-year-old BMX sensation did not make the cut at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) BMX Supercross World Cup in Bogota, Colombia.

Coo was categorized under the UCI BMX under-23 elite and placed 42nd out of the 62 riders during stage three held at the Pista BMX track.

However, Coo’s performance in the fourth stage of the qualifiers was worse than his third and was the 45th finisher out of the same number of participants.

“I’m always proud to represent the Philippines in any competitions abroad, I’ll give it another shot. It’s been my dream and I hope to win a medal for the Philippines. I am proud to be a Filipino,” said Coo.

On the flip side, Coo was the only Asian representative in the prestigious Olympic Qualifying Tournament and went at it against the best BMX riders in the world.

“Every time I compete in the US, I have a Philippine logo in my jersey uniform. I am planning to train and compete at home. I have learned that the junior league speed is different in the Olympic qualifying level and we’re going to step up in the next few races,” Coo added.