BMX history made for Team GB as Beth Shriever wins gold and Kye Whyte claims silver

Beth Shriever and Kye Whyte made BMX history for Great Britain on 30 July as they won gold and silver.

Moments after Whyte won Britain’s first medal in the event since its introduction to the Olympic programme in 2008, taking silver behind Dutchman Niek Kimmann, Shriever led almost from start to finish to claim a superb gold in the women’s race.

Shriever’s gold came just moments after Whyte had broken Britain’s BMX medal duck in the men’s event.

As the 22-year-old collapsed in tears after the final a jubilant Whyte scooped her up and held her aloft in celebration.

“I’m more happy for her than I am for me,” Whyte said afterwards. “That girl puts in some serious serious graft.”

He added: “I just came out of the gate, and I didn’t expect it but in the back of my head I kept telling myself I was going to get a medal.