The younger generation of Squamish BMX Racing Club riders had a ‘wheelie’ good time in a girls-only coaching session with Olympian Drew Mechielsen on Aug. 7.
The Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics BMX athlete told The Squamish Chief that she put on the session to give girls a safe space “to ride with other girls.”
“It was my second time coming to Squamish to do one of these all-girls training sessions and I think we had 13 girls in total,” Mechielsen said.
Of the group, Mechielsen said the youngest was six years old and the eldest was 14.
As someone who got into the sport at three-years-old, the Langley-based athlete said she wishes she could have had the opportunity to train in clinics with other girls during her youth.
“My parents would put me in any clinics that were offered; if we were home and there was a clinic, then I would do it,” she said.
“I remember working one on one with a couple of different people, but I don't think that I ever had the opportunity to be in a girls only clinic … that wasn't really offered for me when I was younger.
“I think it is probably a big part of why I want to offer that space to young girls now, because it is discouraging to be the only girl amongst a lot of boys.”
The Olympic Experience
Mechielsen took eighth place in the Tokyo Games and described her experience as “everything she needed it to be.”
“I had to test for COVID every single morning and wear a mask the whole time…but no matter what it was my Olympics and it was everything that I wanted it to be, I got to become an Olympian,” she said.
Having retired from BMX racing in 2022, Mechielsen said she was excited to cheer on fellow Canadian and friend Molly Simspon who came fifth in the women’s BMX final.
“I texted her before and I said ‘Molly, just go have fun’ and she got fifth, she did amazing,” Mechielsen said.
“Medals are cool and everything, but going to the Olympics and doing it for yourself is the most important thing.”
While she might not be competing anymore—instead turning her focus on her aspiration to become a teacher—Mechielsen encourages the upcoming generation of BMX riders to remember to “keep it fun.”
“Make sure you are continuing to have fun, because as soon as you take that out of it, what's even the point,” she said.
“As for the girls coming up, I would love to encourage them to not get discouraged by the boys, especially in biking. Keep it fun, be brave and continue to do what you love.”
