Deignan makes history as first British female cyclist at fourth Olympics
In a historic announcement, Lizzie Deignan has been selected by Team GB to represent Great Britain in cycling at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, making her the first female British cyclist to reach this remarkable milestone.
Deignan, who secured a silver medal in the road race at the 2012 London Olympics and competed in both Rio and Tokyo, joins a formidable four-member women's road squad. They include the national road race champion Pfeiffer Georgi, time-trial champion Anna Henderson, and the talented Anna Morris.
The BMX team will be led by defending champions Beth Shriever and Charlotte Worthington, who both displayed phenomenal skills in Tokyo. Adding to this impressive lineup is Elinor Barker, a gold medalist in 2016 and silver medalist in 2020, who will attend her third Olympic Games.
Joining Barker in the women's endurance squad are her fellow Tokyo Olympians, Neah Evans and Josie Knight. Exciting debutants Anna Morris and Jess Roberts complete the lineup for what promises to be an exhilarating competition.
The selection process for the women's endurance squad was delayed due to an unfortunate accident involving Katie Archibald. The multi-event specialist suffered leg injuries after tripping over a step in her garden last month. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Team GB will field its largest-ever cycling delegation with a whopping 30 riders representing the nation at the Paris Olympics. The first batch of squad members was announced in June, igniting anticipation for an unforgettable showcase of British cycling talent.
Among the contingent, BMX stars Beth Shriever and Charlotte Worthington shine brightly. Shriever, a double world champion, made history in Tokyo, clinching Great Britain's first-ever BMX gold medal. Meanwhile, Worthington wowed the world with her stunning freestyle performance, becoming the inaugural female Olympic freestyle champion and landing an incredible 360 backflip—a game-changing moment for women in the sport. Despite initial uncertainty, Worthington secured her place in the Paris Games, continuing her inspirational journey.
The BMX racing events will feature Kye Whyte, a silver medalist from three years ago, and Kieran Reilly, the reigning men's freestyle park world champion, bringing their immense talent and determination to the track.
Completing the Team GB cycling squad are exceptional athletes competing in various disciplines. The men's road contingent includes Ethan Hayter, Joshua Tarling, Stevie Williams, Tom Pidcock, and Fred Wright. For women's road cycling, Lizzie Deignan, Pfeiffer Georgi, Anna Henderson, and Anna Morris will proudly represent the nation.
On the track, the men's and women's track endurance squads feature accomplished cyclists such as Mark Stewart and Charlie Tanfield in addition to Elinor Barker, Jess Roberts, and more. Not to be forgotten, the track sprint events showcase exceptional speed and strength with Jack Carlin, Katy Marchant, Sophie Capewell, and Emma Finucane among the names bound to captivate audiences.
Lastly, Team GB's mountain biking hopes rest on the shoulders of Charlie Aldridge, Tom Pidcock, Ella Maclean-Howell, and Evie Richards, as they tackle the challenging terrain of the picturesque course in Paris.
