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How motherhood has changed things for BMX racer Lauren Reynolds

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Australian BMX racer Lauren Reynolds will compete in the World Championships as a mother for the first time.
  • Reynolds, a four-time Olympian, is balancing her career with raising her eight-month-old daughter, Royce.
  • She is among three mothers competing at the event, highlighting a growing presence of female athletes with families in the sport.

For Australian BMX racer Lauren Reynolds, competing at a home World Championship is a special occasion, made even more significant as she takes on the challenge as a mother for the first time. The 35-year-old four-time Olympian will race with her eight-month-old daughter, Royce, watching from the sidelines.

I didn't know or ever think I would have a child at a BMX track. And to have her at the worlds, and a home worlds, is just really, really cool.

— Lauren ReynoldsSpeaking to ABC Sport about competing as a mother for the first time at the World Championships.

"I didn't know or ever think I would have a child at a BMX track," Reynolds told ABC Sport. "And to have her at the worlds, and a home worlds, is just really, really cool." Reynolds, whose wife Ryan carried Royce, is one of three mothers competing at the UCI BMX Racing World Championships, alongside American Alise Willoughby and Colombian legend Mariana Pajón.

A lot of the guys are dads, but no, there hasn't been [a lot of mums]. My wife carried our baby, but they were all pregnant and gave birth around the same time, and there was no planning, no communication there, so it's very cool.

— Lauren ReynoldsReflecting on the presence of mothers in professional BMX racing.

"A lot of the guys are dads, but no, there hasn't been [a lot of mums]," Reynolds noted. "My wife carried our baby, but they were all pregnant and gave birth around the same time, and there was no planning, no communication there, so it's very cool." She described motherhood as life-changing, stating, "It's the same, but also completely different." The experience has shifted her perspective, with a focus on returning home healthy to her daughter.

It's the same, but also completely different.

— Lauren ReynoldsDescribing the impact of motherhood on her life.

This event marks Royce's first trip to Australia, and a first meeting with her grandparents. Reynolds, who now lives in San Diego, has fond memories of the Sleeman Sport complex track in Brisbane, where she trained as a teenager. "It's very cool to come back," she said, reflecting on the venue that will host events for the 2032 Summer Olympics. "I used to live and train out here for years … so tons of memories." She feels she approaches the track with a new perspective now, being "older and wiser."

It takes away the worries and, whatever happens out here, stays there, and I go home to her.

— Lauren ReynoldsOn how motherhood provides a different perspective on her career.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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