Alise Willoughby is no stranger to the big stage — she's been dominating the BMX world for years. A three-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist, she's already one of the most successful women in BMX racing history.

After a devasting crash in 2016 left her husband paralyzed and leaving the Tokyo Games empty-handed, Willoughby has much to ride for at Paris 2024.

Get to know more about Alise Willoughby as she gets ready for her fourth Olympic appearance.

How tall is Alise Willoughby?

Alise Willoughby is 5-foot-2.

How old is Alise Willoughby?

Alise Willoughby is 33 years old and was born on January 17, 1991.

Where is Alise Willoughby from?

Alise Willoughby is from St. Cloud, Minnesota, and currently lives in Chula Vista, California.

What other sports did Alise Willoughby play?

Alise Willoughby started off her athletic career being a competitive gymnast and pole vaulter. She began BMX racing at six years old.

How did Alise Willoughby get into BMX racing?

Alise Willoughby was born into a BMX obsessed family with two brothers who competed. Her dad also ran a track where the kids would train.

Is Alise Willoughby married?

Alise Willoughby is married to former Australian BMX racer Sam Willoughby, who competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

What happened to Alise Willoughby’s husband?

In 2016, shortly after the Rio Olympics, Sam was practicing in Chula Vista, California, where he fell backward out of a routine wheelie and broke his back. The injury left him paralyzed.

Other facts about Alise Willoughby:

• Alise Willoughby won the USA BMX Woman’s Pro Series title the same year her mom, Cheryl Post, died of late-stage melanoma
• Alise Willoughby has been hurt a lot during her time as a cyclist. Her injuries and have included a broken fibula, complete LCL and tendon reconstruction, needing plates in her ankle, a broken tibia, and needing numerous stiches.
• Alise Willoughby's family helped transform a vandalized city park in St. Cloud, Minnesota, into Pineview Park BMX, which is now a top-notch BMX facility in the U.S.
• Alise and Sam Willoughby wed in 2017. Using knee braces and a walker, Sam was able to walk Alise down the aisle without a wheelchair.

How many Olympics has Alise Willoughby participated in?

Alise Willoughby has competed in three Olympics so far with Paris set to be her fourth appearance. She'll tie Kristin Armstrong's record for most Olympic appearances by a U.S. female cyclist.

How many Olympic medals has Alise Willoughby won?

Alise Willoughby’s only Olympic medal was when she took silver at the 2016 Rio Games.

How many world titles has Alise Willoughby won?

Alise Willoughby has won three world titles, tied for the most all-time in women's BMX racing. She's won a total of seven medals at the world championships, more than any other woman.

How has Alise Willoughby been performing in the leadup to the Paris Olympics?

On May 18, Alise Willoughby won her third BMX racing world title, which secured her spot in Paris.

Alise Willoughby on how she met her husband, Sam Willoughby:

We met on the BMX circuit and as juniors, He came from Australia over to America, and he had tried to slide in the DMs. I was too cool in high school, I had a high school boyfriend. But eventually me and Sam met. He came over. He's an Aussie — I fell for that Aussie accent and that charming smile. We've never looked back. We've been together for years, obviously. We raced alongside each other, trained alongside each other. He's been there through every up and down in my career, and obviously now he's moved on after a career-ending injury into a coaching role, and now he coaches me.

Alise Willoughby on how her husband’s accident changed her life:

For me, it's become such an inspiration and daily motivator. If he's going to keep showing up at the level that he is, I want to show up. And that's just every day. So, what bigger motivator could you have? I really look forward to the opportunity to make him proud and give the 100% effort back to him every day that he puts into my stuff.

Get to know other members of the 2024 U.S. Olympic cycling team who will be vying for gold in Paris.