One of the BMX's winningest riders, Hannah Roberts, has earned a title in nearly every freestyle competition.
The one that’s left? The Olympics.
After a stunning first run in Tokyo, Roberts suffered a second-run fall that resulted in a silver medal — an impressive feat on its own, but a disappointing one to Roberts.
By placing fourth in the first contest of a two-part festival qualifier series in May — the second of which will be held June 20-23 — Roberts is well on her way to earning another shot at the top spot on the podium.
Here are some things to know before Roberts mounts her bike this summer.
Athlete bio
How old is Hannah Roberts?
Hannah Roberts will begin the Olympics at 22 years old, but she will turn 23 on August 10.
Where is Hannah Roberts from?
Hannah Roberts was born in South Bend, Indiana and grew up in Buchanan, Michigan. Now she lives in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
When did Hannah Roberts start cycling?
Hannah Roberts began cycling at 9 years old after her cousin, Brett Banasiewicz, introduced her to the sport. She has been competing since she was 12.
How many World Championships has Hannah Roberts won?
Hannah Roberts has earned gold medals in the freestyle park competition at five World Championships — 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. She also won bronze in 2018.
Her most recent win was especially emotional as it came after an extended recovery period following a dislocated shoulder and bulging discs.
Has Hannah Roberts competed at the Olympics before?
Hannah Roberts competed in BMX freestyle at the Tokyo Games, where the sport made its Olympic debut, and won a silver medal.
After having the top score in the seeding round, Roberts then led all riders after the first of two runs in the final. Great Britain’s Charlotte Worthington later took over the lead with her second run, and Roberts was unable to surpass her due to a fall on her second and final run.
Is Hannah Roberts married?
Hannah Roberts was married, but the couple divorced in 2022. She and her new girlfriend, Savannah Stillwill, have been together for over a year.
What are some fun facts about Hannah Roberts?
- Hannah Roberts has four dogs
- During her 2019 World Championship win, Hannah Roberts became the first woman to land a 360 tailwhip in competition
- In her hometown of Buchanan, Michigan there is a mural of Hannah Roberts, which was painted in 2022
The road to Paris
Has Hannah Roberts qualified for the Paris Olympics?
BMX freestyle riders compete in a two-part festival qualifier series to determine eligibility for the Olympics.
At the first contest — held in Shanghai in May — Hannah Roberts placed fourth overall, leading all U.S. athletes. She then won the second contest, which happened in Budapest in May, to officially qualify for the Paris Games.
In her own words
On her biggest obstacle:
Depression and anxiety have been an extreme hindrance for me the last few years, and I’ve been working every day to better myself and my mental health. I’m always open to talking about it because it is a very real thing that everyone experiences.
On her earliest memories of the sport:
When I broke my back when I was 10, I was laying in the hospital with my parents and just scared out of my mind. I didn’t know if I wanted to ride again, but I got a call from a bunch of professionals I had met earlier just checking in on me and giving me support, and I was ready to get back into it.
On learning that BMX would be added as an Olympic sport:
I remember that I was sitting in my computer class for school at 15 years old in 2017 right before the year ended. I think it had to be sometime in early June. And I got in trouble because I was on my phone, and it was my dad and my mom and everybody blowing my phone up, telling me, ‘Hey, your sport is going to be in the Olympics … You could possibly be an Olympian if you push.’ And I was like, ‘That's crazy.’ And then I told everybody why I was on my phone because it was something that we had to do. My teacher had me sign a piece of paper for him, and he has it hung up in his classroom still.
On changing her approach to Paris:
I want to be able to really enjoy the journey leading up to it. Before, it was just like, I felt almost robotic. I'd wake up, I'd go to the gym, I'd go ride, I'd come home, do whatever recovery that I could do, do three interviews a day, go to bed and do it all again the next day. And I was like, that was my schedule for months leading up to the Games … And this time, coming around, I've gotten into a lot more comfortable part of my life where it's like, I can wake up in the morning, go to the gym and go ride, but I don't look at that stuff anymore like ‘I have to do that.’ It's more like ‘I get to do this.’ … There's nothing in the world that I'd rather do than ride my bike, and it took me a really long time to get that mindset.
On falling:
I fall like 100 times a day, and I think it's just part of the sport … I'm willing to risk it because I put everything into the sport and it means the world to me.