- Australia’s Natalya Diehm celebrated her bronze medal in style
- Finished third in the BMX finals at La Concorde skatepark in Paris
- First Australian woman to win a medal at a major BMX event
Australian BMX star Natalya Diehm has become an overnight sporting hero after drinking a beer and eating some McDonald’s chicken nuggets following her bronze medal in Paris.
Diehm, 26, has had five knee reconstructions in his career on two wheels, as well as dislocated shoulders, broken wrists and broken elbows.
In one of the Games’ greatest stories, Diehm’s perseverance was rewarded when she made history as the first Australian woman to win a BMX freestyle medal at a major competition.
And when reporters offered him a beer, the Queenslander said he celebrated, while fans at Olympic venues can’t get alcohol.
“I’m not a beer drinker, but I do it for everyone,” she said to loud cheers from journalists.
“I thought about making a shoey.. but that’s probably not appropriate.”
Diehm also confirmed that, like many other athletes, she found the food choices in the Olympic Village frustrating, as participants were required to eat vegetarian far more often during the Games.
I don’t want to go back and eat that [vegan options] “Again. I am thrilled with my Macca’s,” she said.
Australian BMX star Natalya Diehm has become an overnight sporting hero after drinking a beer (pictured) and eating some McDonald’s nuggets shortly after winning a bronze medal in Paris.
Perseverance paid off for Diehm as she made history as the first Australian woman to win a BMX freestyle medal in a major competition
Diehm’s honesty stems from the fact that alcohol is served at many Olympic events in Paris and the organizers are committed to family-friendly Games.
The presence of several ‘dry’ locations surprised many supporters, who decided to go to bars in the capital to have a drink before and after the events.
Meanwhile, as she gave a dynamic performance at La Concorde skatepark, Diehm was thrilled to have created her own piece of history.
‘We have [Australia] “I’ve never won a medal at a World Cup event,” she said.
‘So to do it here on the biggest stage in the world, that’s history. I made history. That’s crazy.
‘I’m looking at it [bronze medal] like rose gold. It’s beautiful, I even like it more than the gold, I’m not going to lie.’
China’s Yawen Deng (92.60) won gold in the women’s BMX final, beating American Perris Benegas (90.70).
Australian gold medallist from Tokyo, Logan Martin, put aside his personal disappointment at missing out on back-to-back titles to celebrate Diehm’s triumph.
“It’s amazing what she’s done,” he said.
“She just wanted to get on the podium — and she got the biggest one ever. The fact that she now has an Olympic medal, I’m super proud of that.”