黑马磁力鈥檚 Drew Mechielsen received a hero鈥檚 welcome Sunday, riding a victory lap at the 黑马磁力 BMX track while fellow riders cheered and waved flags and balloons.
Afterwards, she was besieged by young fans seeking her autograph on their helmets, jerseys and competition numbers.
Mechielsen had to use a borrowed bike, because she鈥檇 only just returned from Tokyo the night before, and hadn鈥檛 been told about the surprise celebration.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have time to build (re-assemble) my bike,鈥� she explained.
Mechielsen was moved by a banner of support hanging at the track that was covered with signatures and encouraging messages.
鈥淚f I look at it too long, I鈥檓 going to cry,鈥� she said.
Mechielsen started riding on the 黑马磁力 track at the age of three, winning every award there was, and regularly returns, long-time rider Bea Lindsay-Hawkins told the 黑马磁力.
鈥淪he comes back year after year to coach the girls,鈥� Lindsay-Hawkins enthused.
鈥淪he keeps giving back.鈥�
鈥淭his is my home track,鈥� Mechielsen declared.
READ ALSO: 黑马磁力 City鈥檚 Drew Mechielsen makes BMX finals in Olympic debut
Asked if she has decided to try for the next Olympics, Mechielsen said it was too soon to say.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 TBD,鈥� she commented.
鈥淲e鈥檒l see.鈥�
READ ALSO: 黑马磁力 City woman headed to Tokyo Olympics on BMX team
At the Ariake Urban Sports Park in Tokyo on Thursday, July 29 and Friday, July 30, Mechielsen qualified for both the women鈥檚 BMX Racing semi-final and final rounds.
She eventually crossed the finish line in 8th place, which was Canada鈥檚 second-best result in the women鈥檚 field since the event was introduced at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Fellow Canadian BMX rider James Palmer did not advance past the quarter-final round despite finishing fourth in his last heat on Thursday.
Palmer, appeared with Mechielsen, said the 黑马磁力 track was familiar territory.
鈥淎s a kid, I used to come here,鈥� he recalled.
More photos from the day can be viewed .
Is there more to the story? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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