- Lake Township resident Marcus Christopher will be competing in BMX freestyle in the Paris Olympics.
- The 21-year-old Lake High School graduate recently won a gold medal in BMX park at the X Games.
- Christopher is among the top BMX freestyle riders in the world.
LAKE TWP. − Marcus Christopher performed tricks on his BMX bicycle effortlessly in the backyard of his home.
Back and forth, the Lake High School graduate pedaled and zoomed up and down massive wooden ramps before flying and flipping and spinning through the air under sun-splashed skies — sometimes releasing his grip on the handlebars and extending his arms as if he were Superman on two wheels.
The practice and dedication have paid off for Christopher, who will compete in BMX freestyle at the Paris Olympics in late July. He also won a gold medal in BMX park riding late last month at the X Games in California.
“I’d say both are pretty unreal,” the 21-year-old Christopher said while taking a break from practice Wednesday. “I always dreamed of being in the X Games growing up, and to win a gold medal was awesome. I can’t believe it, and to qualify for the Olympics was also awesome.”
Christopher qualified for the summer games by placing second at an event in Budapest, Hungary, in the men’s BMX freestyle category. He scored 92.98.
This is the second Olympics for BMX freestyle riding, following its competitive debut in Tokyo in 2021.
The comeback kid:BMX pro Marcus Christopher of Lake recovering after frightening fall at X Games California
Marcus Christopher is the comeback kid
Making the Olympics and winning the X Games are especially impressive following injuries Christopher suffered to his jaw and face in a crash during the X Games in 2023, when he overshot his landing spot.
Following tests for brain and spinal injuries, the 5-foot-6, 160-pound rider was released from a California hospital. Sixteen screws and four plates were later inserted in his face during surgery, Christopher’s father Matt said.
“I just think my mindset after that six weeks of recovery was that once I came out here, I just rode how I knew how,” the younger Christopher said while seated on his bike, his eyes peering from beneath a helmet. “I had to just ride and got back to it.”
Successful BMX riding is a combination of athletic skill, dedication, a competitive spirit and being a little nuts, the Olympian said.
“I’d say a little bit of everything, but definitely being able to push the boundaries and not have too much fear, because I guess you’ve got to be a little bit crazy to try some of the tricks,” Christopher said.
More about Marcus Christopher:Extreme teen
Running the steps at McKinley Monument
Practice is year-round for Christopher — at home during the warmer months and at an indoor facility in Cleveland when it’s colder. He works out with weights and does cardio work, too. Another part of his routine is running the steps at the McKinley National Memorial in Canton — usually a total of 20 times.
Eating healthy foods is also important. Protein shakes and hydration drinks are in his regimen. To acclimate himself to performing in hot weather, following an event in Abu Dhabi where he suffered heat stroke, Christopher spends hours in a sauna at home prior to competition.
Christopher’s younger brother Charlie, a standout football player at Lake High School, said Marcus is fully committed.
“He works out every day just about,” Charlie said. “He’s doing everything. It’s 10 o’clock (p.m.), and I’m getting ready for bed, and he’s going downstairs to work out in our basement.”
Christopher is among the top riders in the world in BMX park and freestyle riding. First competing as a pro at age 13, he’s appeared in multiple X Games. As a 16-year-old, he was the youngest rider to qualify for X Games Minneapolis by winning an event in Boise, Idaho.
He also earned a bronze medal at the X Games in Japan in 2022.
Marcus Christopher at the summer Olympics
Christopher will be competing on July 30 in the qualifying round of the summer Olympics at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium. The BMX finals is July 31.
Twelve riders will perform tricks and maneuvers during a 60-second routine on a course featuring ramps, box jumps, walls and spines. Christopher and Justin Dowell will be representing the United States. Scores will be based on the difficulty of the tricks, height of their jumps, and creativity and style.
“The Olympic competition is probably the biggest competition there is,” Christopher said in his characteristically low-key voice. “There’s going to be the best guys in BMX there is.”
Full-time BMX riding earns Marcus Christopher six figures
During the recent practice session, Matt Christopher watched intently.
Dad has supported Marcus since he first took up the sport as a youngster.
“He was way beyond his time at 10 or 11 years old,” he said. “He was doing pro-style tricks. At a very early age, you could tell how talented he was. He was truly doing things that he shouldn’t have been capable of doing, so we knew he had a future in it.”
Before Christopher was old enough to drive, his father drove him to Cleveland to practice in the winter three to four times per week. He also traveled with him across America and to 15 foreign countries. Mom Lori also has been a big backer.
Sacrifices in time and money were made. They moved to their current home seven years ago with the purpose of constructing the practice ramps.
Matt Christopher said people are often surprised to learn what his son does for a living. But it’s a full-time job, earning Marcus six figures annually through endorsements, prize money and other sources of income tied to BMX riding.
“He’s doing very well,” Matt Christopher said. “The better you do, the more you’re going to make and the more sponsors you’re going to get.”
Rockstar energy drink and DK Bicycles are among his sponsors. Being a member of the USA National Team also saves Christopher thousands of dollars on travel, lodging and food, Matt Christopher said.
“The support of the U.S. Cycling team is amazing,” he said.
Athletics runs in BMX rider Marcus Christopher’s family
Athletic excellence is a family trait.
Matt Christopher is a former Ohio State University linebacker. He was an all-time great linebacker and running back for Lake’s 1991 Division II state championship runner-up team while earning Ohio Division II Lineman of the Year honors from the Associated Press. Charlie Christopher will be a senior at Lake, and has committed to playing football at Ohio University.
Both dad and the younger brother will be watching Christopher compete in the Olympics from home.
“I’m definitely going to be proud just for the fact that he made it there in the Olympics,” Charlie said. “That’s just a big deal in general; that’s unbelievable.
“He’s been riding really good recently,” he added. “And I’m confident he’s going to do good at the Olympics, but I definitely have some nerves just for him to do good and ever since that crash last year.”
Dad also admitted to being nervous simply because he’s a parent.
But “if he rides like he can and stays on his bike, he has a great chance of winning a medal.”
Reach Ed at (330)580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com
On X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP and Instagram at ed_balint
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