With this past weekend’s much anticipated Olympic Games in Rio – Anthony Dean went in strong with good preparation, leading in finishing up with a month’s training camp in San Diego with the Australian National Team.

Anthony was on it, straight-off-the-bat feeling good in practice and using the Time Trial to iron out a few kinks, easing into Thursday’s quarter finals, and finishing with two wins and a third, thus qualifying first for lane pick for Friday’s semi final.

The triple semi format was set, and Anthony went into automatic mode wining all 3 semi’s. By now it was evident he had a huge chance not only to medal but also to win. Australian teammate, Sam Willoughby, was doing exactly the same on the other half of the draw – winning his semi finals and setting everything up for what it looked like an Australian showdown for Gold. Still, this is BMX and anything can happen as we know.

Even though Connor Fields was not a stand out during qualifying he was gaining confidence all day long. Sam started in lane one, Anthony in two and USA’s Nic Long in three. The gate slammed down and it was evident Anthony was slightly late – and enough for Long to shut him down and put Anthony to the back of the pack and end his Olympic Dream.

Meanwhile, upfront, Nic Long was winning into turn two but made a small mistake enabling Connor to attack and pass Nic on the third straight; Connor went on to win Gold.

Anthony was disappointed as expected and came in 8th knowing he had missed a big chance, but nevertheless, did himself and his country proud on the big stage. To be in the Olympics Final is no small thing and we are very proud of him.