The BMX Bond: Olympic veteran inspiring an Olympic hopeful for Paris 2024
(WCMH) — BMX freestyle is one of the newest sports on the Olympic program, having just made its debut in Tokyo 2020. And in a non-descript warehouse on the east side of Cleveland, two of America’s best train.
It’s called “The Brewhouse”, and it’s a training ground like no other. The warehouse turned BMX freestyle playground was the brainchild of Nick Bruce in 2020, as a way to train, rain or shine, in his quest to make the Olympics. “Believe it or not, we built it in less than 4 weeks. But we were hustling. I was probably here for 15 hour days and not eating,” said Nick, during a tour of the space.
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Nick has been on the BMX scene for more than a decade now, originally inspired by the X Games growing up. He’s competed all around the country and the world. But nothing compared to being one of the nine riders in the first ever Olympic BMX freestyle competition.
“Honestly, just qualifying for the Olympic Games in Tokyo is probably the pinnacle of my career. It was just such a changing pivotal moment for BMX alone. And just to be part of that history, it’s still something I can’t fathom,” said Nick.
But Nick’s Olympic experience was marred by injury. On the second day of practice, he crashed hard on his shoulder. He later found out he tore his rotator cuff. He was able to compete but finished in last place. “The only disappointment was not being able to showcase the world of what I actually do. And that’s just really hard,” said Nick. “But that’s also very motivating. Like, I know what I’m capable of. I know I’m a competitive rider. I know I’m medal capable. So, I just used it all as motivation to get back to where I am now. And to get into Paris.”
About twice a week, Nick trains alongside Marcus Christopher, ten years his junior and fellow Ohioan. Marcus drives an hour north from Canton to be at The Brewhouse, and ride with the man he calls his mentor.
“We’ve always lived like an hour apart. And in the Winters, we’ve always rode together in the skateparks up here in Cleveland,” sais Marcus. “He was always just the guy at the park that was just insane. Just growing up watching him doing all these crazy X Games tricks, it was always what I wanted to do. And once I got good enough, I was able to start trying those tricks. So,I always looking up to him as a better rider.”
In fact, Marcus got so good so young, Nick went to visit him to see for himself when Marcus was 13 years old. “It’s very apparent when you see a talented rider in BMX, because there’s so much. There’s so much to it,” said Nick. “It’s the ability to ride ramps and play different tricks to all the different ramps and Marcus has always been able to adapt anything, even at a young age. And seeing him do that at such a young age was just like, man, that’s not usual. That’s something very rare.”
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Marcus represents the next generation of BMX, going bigger every chance he can get. And his biggest supporter is Nick, who just so happens to also be his competition. “Why do that to myself with a guy 10 years younger than me trying to take my spot,” joked Nick. “Just kidding. It’s truly just inspiring. Because when you get, I guess, later in your career, you just get stuck in different routines and this certain headspace of only calculation or only calculated risk. And then you see the young guys just throwing themselves without any calculation and you’re like, man, I remember when I was like that. But then you’re like, well, you are actually capable of that. But plus the calculation.”
And it’s that wisdom from Nick that is invaluable for Marcus. The ability to hear what it takes to be an Olympian from someone who has been there, done that. “Yeah, pretty much once I saw him make the Olympics, it opened up my eyes that I could possibly make it to,” said Marcus. “He definitely motivates me, like he can do all kinds of tricks that I can’t do. He’s doing new tricks all the time. So I feel like we push each other back and forth.”
Nick, Marcus and Justin Dowell are going for what are just two spots on Team USA for BMX freestyle. Nick and Marcus hope ultimately, they are the ones that make it. “Yes, it’d just be special,” said Marcus. “I mean, grew up riding with each other and I’d always look up to him and he always motivated me. So to be in the Olympics with him. It would be awesome.”
“That’s my dream,” said Nick. And then the fact that Marcus and I are both in the Olympic Qualifying Series. It’s just means a lot.”
The Olympic Qualifying Series will determine who will qualify for Paris 2024. The United States is expected to get the maximum two quota spots per country. The series goes to Shanghai, China on May 16-19 and Budapest, Hungary on June 20-23.
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