American Kristen Faulkner Wins Gold in Olympic Women’s Road Race-First Gold in 40 Years!

Before Sunday, Team USA had only won two medals in Olympic road racing. However, today another woman added her name to the history books. American Kristen Faulkner Wins Gold in the Olympic Women’s Road Race, the First Gold medal in 40 Years!

Yes, it has been four decades since an American cyclist has bested the rest of the world. It occurred back in 1984. The year of the Apple Macintosh Super Bowl ad, Ghostbusters, Prince’s Purple Rain, Footloose, Terminator and the game changing invention of Tetris. Do you remember it?

Well, we will quickly refresh your memory. The Summer Games were held in Los Angeles that year. The race took place on Sunday July 29, 1984 along the major roads within Mission Viejo, California. There were 45 participants in the race, from 16 nations. AND this was also the debut of this event in the Games, the first-ever women’s cycling Olympic event.

The Americans absolutely dominated. It came down to a beyond close photo finish. Connie Carpenter-Phinney wins the gold but it meant taking out a fellow member of Team USA. At the very end of the 79.2-kilometer road race; Connie edges out her teammate Rebecca Twigg at the finish line by less than half a wheel length to cap her incredible career with a gold medal.

American Kristen Faulkner Wins Gold in  Olympic Women’s Road Race-First Gold medal in 40 Years!

Well, that was 1984. What went down in 2024? Any less exciting? Not in the least!

Kristin Faulkner for a chunk of the race was behind in a two person chase group; with only two cyclists ahead between her and the gold. Eventually she catches up being only 20 seconds behind the lead pair. What would she do?

Cycling is not just about laser focus, elite athleticism as well as endurance. It also takes strategy. A cyclist has to know when to exert energy, when to save it and when to go on the attack to make a sprint really count.

Faulkner waits for an opportunity… and she gets it. After catching up to the lead pack, the 31 year old from Homer, Alaska after going through the Lourve and across the Seine suddenly BURSTS forward leaving the other three racers behind. With just two miles left to go to the finish line Kristin accelerates faster and faster creating a massive gap. And none of the other cyclists chase her! They don’t have the strength and stamina left to keep up.

Faulkner keeps those pedals turning. Not decreasing in speed. And she wins the gold. Fantastic ride through Paris and a historic victory for Faulkner. Congratulations!

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