Silver medal starts Coo’s Olympic attempt

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Patrick Coo (photo above, right) finished between two participants from the host country for the silver medal. —PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

BMX cycling ace Patrick Coo is expecting a super steep climb with countless bumps and humps on his way to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The choice to represent the nation at the Olympics took the first bold step on the journey to the French capital with a silver medal at the BMX Racing Cup 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Slaka to end the trip in Indonesia. The first Olympic points in the elite were obtained,” said Coo after clocking 34.138 seconds in a brave second place in the opening round of the racing cup.

“It’s very, very close to gold, but it’s a race,” added the Filipino-American. “You know what it is.”

The 21-year-old from Bellflower, California, has four routes available on the road to Paris, including climbing the Olympic ranks by participating in several more races to earn UCI points before the qualifying period ends on June 2, 2024.

But Coo was able to negotiate a faster path to the 2023 Asian BMX Championships, which will be hosted by Tagaytay City on July 16 through Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, the country’s race chairman.

There is another way through the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in September.

“I am always proud to represent the Philippines in any competition. I’m trying again,” said Coo, who missed out on a place at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The former Asian junior champion finished 42nd in a field of 62 riders at Stage 3 of the World Cup in Bogota, Colombia, in 2021, a race that offers a place at the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

another opportunity

He ended up 45th after four stages and missed out on the title in the last possible race.

“This is my first World Cup and my participation was last minute. We gave it our all and tried to live up to expectations,” Coo said.

Two more opportunities will open for Coo to earn a ticket to Paris through the 2023 UCI BMX World Championships on August 3 to 13 in Glasgow, Scotland, and the 2024 UCI BMX World Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States.

Indonesia’s Gusti Bagus Saputra topped Sunday’s Jakarta race with a time of 33.919 seconds, while Rio Akbar, also the host, clocked 34.346 seconds to take the bronze.

“Patrick finished well because he fought until the end for our flag and country. I like your attitude and new perspective in life. Thank you Philcycling for all the support to make this trip,” said coach Frederick Farr.

Eleven drivers raced in the final with Indonesia qualifying the other five drivers, South Korea with two and Thailand with one.

The next stop for Coo is the second round of the BMX Cup in Thailand on March 19.

Also making a bid for Paris besides Coo is Rio de Janeiro Olympian Daniel Caluag. INQ

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