Ross Cullen on the Tokyo Olympic Games
The 2020 Olympics was like no other. When it came for the athletes to prepare themselves, coronavirus had different ideas which forced the host nation, Japan, to reschedule until 2021. The opening ceremony also came under threat of being cancelled within the last hour, but luckily it was revived and things got back on track.
We at OutSkillTheRisk we were extremely proud to have our team member and GB BMX racing athlete Ross Cullen as a reserve for the GB BMX team, what an amazing opportunity and experience to have for him. We sent a few questions when he was back training on UK soil after the history books were rewritten by his teammates and friends, Beth Shriever and Kye Whyte, bringing home Olympic Gold and silver in GB’s first ever Olympic medals in the BMX racing.
Arriving in Tokyo and seeing the Olympic Village for the first time must have really made an impression on you. Was there anything that immediately caught your eye?
When I was walking into the Olympic Village for the first time the feeling was incredible. The main thing that I realised was its size, it was huge and full of the best athletes in the world! Most people would walk across the village to the food hall, but if you wanted to rest your legs they had self driving busses that would take you!! There were a number of bus stops dotted around the village and you could easily jump on one. Luckily, Team GB had a load of fold up Brompton bikes that we used to get from A to B in the Village. The busiest part of the Village had to be the Olympic Rings… there was always a line of people waiting for a photo next to them! The BMX track was only a 5 minute journey on the bus so It wasn’t too far, luckily. Some venues were up to an hour away from the Village so we got lucky!
We managed to catch your training videos on social media with a backdrop of incredible views. Would you mainly train and socialise with the GB BMX team and athletes, or did you get to mix with teams from other countries too?
When we arrived in Tokyo, we went to the team GB Prep camp which was the hotel in Yokohama we had secured for our stay. The views there were amazing and it was nice to settle into Japan there for a few days. After being in Yokohama for 3 days, we moved into the Olympic Village. The village felt huge compared to the hotel we had been in. While I was there I managed to speak to a few different athletes in Team GB. It was great to get an inside look into other sports and how the athletes train!
Apart from the normal BMX racers that we see at every race… we didn’t really talk to any other athletes outside of Team GB, this was probably because of the COVID risk and making sure we don’t put any of the team at risk before competition.
All of the training I did out there was with my fellow BMX athletes / support staff. We socialised with other team GB athletes at both the prep camp and the Olympic village whilst trying to keep ourselves as safe as possible from a covid front. There was a lot of mask wearing and keeping our distance from people over the 2 weeks for sure!
What were your first impressions of the track when you saw it? How did you feel while doing the track walk and how did it compare to other BMX tracks you've been on?
The Olympic track was so aesthetically pleasing. It was dressed to the highest standards and looked incredible. The track itself was an interesting one… the first ever Supercross track I have ridden to have a joint second straight which both men and women use. Saying this, the track provided great racing and was good to watch! Whilst walking the track, I couldn’t wait for the first practice session to try it!
As the reserve athlete for team GB, what did that mean for your practice routine? Were you still able to get some times down?
As the reserve athlete for team GB, this meant I was there in case anything happened to Kye, and meant he was unable to compete. But it also meant the great experience of being at an Olympic Games. I still practiced as if I was going to race, I enjoyed lining up with the fastest guys in the world for 3 days and going head to head in training!
Throughout the heats most of the countries had two team riders competing for a place in the final, why did GB only have one rider in the mix?
The amount of riders a country gets to compete and race is determined on where they ranked in the previous Olympic Games on the points scoring process as a nation. Depending on where your country finished in the games you could either be awarded one, two or three places, Unfortunately GB only qualified enough points previously for one spot for this Olympic Games whereas countries like France and the Netherlands had 3 spots each. Hopefully we can get more guys on the start gate in Paris 2024.
Your fellow GB team mates and friends, Kye and Beth, how long have you been training together ?
I have known Beth since around 2012! I remember we went on a trip to Latvia for a European round, just me and my Dad travelling with Beth and her dad! Ever since we’ve been very good friends training on the talent team together for many years… Now we’re both living in Manchester as full time athletes training daily with each other.
I have known Kye for probably a similar time and have always seen him at nationals around the country… but in 2020 I moved to Manchester and we lived in the same house during lockdown! We’ve grown to be good mates over the past few years.
Fantastic results for Kye, Beth and the whole team! You guys have been riding and training together for a while now. The night before, or even the morning before the semi-final and final, was there a lot of anticipation knowing that the team could potentially make history?
Kye and Beth rode amazingly and I’m super proud of them! We kept everything really chilled and I don’t think anyone really thought about results until the end of race day! The guys just went out with a level head and got the job done!
It must have been really strange not having spectators there this year. Do you think it was easier without the crowd or was there still a big buzz and atmosphere?
I think it must have been tough on the guys and girls not having a big crowd watching the racing for sure… but saying that there was still plenty of adrenaline pumping round as it was the biggest sporting competition on earth!!! I think everyone knew people were tuning in all over the world to watch, so in some ways it must have felt the same!
Were there many celebrations in the Olympic VIllage after the races, or are you waiting until you get back home?
Beth and Kye were rushed off their feet with the media straight after the racing, we finally got back and ate dinner. Following this we all chilled out and started to pack for our return to the UK. There wasn’t much celebrating going on as such, I’m sure there will be once back home!
We have the world championships in 2 weeks , so then I’m sure they will be able to relax a little more!
You mentioned you’ve got the World Championships coming up very soon. Has your experience at the Olympics made you even hungrier to jump back on the bike and succeed?
The whole experience has motivated me massively, one day I want an Olympic medal too!! I felt really good in practice and felt like I had some great form. I am looking forward to the World Championships in 2 weeks that are held in Arnhem in the Netherlands and can’t wait to be back racing once again!
It is not everyday one of your athletes gets to go to an Olympic Games. For Ross this is just the beginning of another leg of his journey, and we cannot wait to see him at the world championships and then Paris 2024 Olympics to show the world what he can do. With the games now coming to an end, Japan have delivered an amazing Olympic Games given the extreme situation that the world has found itself in. Team GB did not fail to deliver on the medals and history making, in an all round amazing performance from the athletes that dedicate so much and leave nothing on the track, to make the whole country proud and forever remembered in an outstanding performance of skill, grit and determination.
Keep an eye out for more news coming soon when he’ll take part in the World Championships!
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