Burnham-On-Sea BMX cyclist Liam Phillips represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games in Beijing during the early hours of this morning (Wednesday August 20th).
Liam, 19, competed in the seeding runs and made it through to the quarter finals where he took part in a series of action-packed, thrilling races.
He did well to finish fifth in his first quarter final race and got sixth spot in his second race.
But he was dramatically hampered in a crash of cyclists in his third quarter final race, and this led to him finishing seventh, ending his hopes of progressing further – see how the action unfolded here.
His father Pete, who has travelled with him to China, was there to cheer him on, while back here in the UK, his progress was eagerly watched by his mum and girlfriend, who both watched the live TV coverage with Liam’s grandmother.
Steve Manaton, Burnhamn BMX Club Chairman, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It’s been a huge achievement for him to become the first rider to go to the Olympic games.”
“His experience will have been a great stepping stone towards the 2012 Olympics. Everyone here is really proud of what he’s done.”
Liam told Burnham-On-Sea.com in a video interview earlier this month: “Any athlete that wants to be at the top of their game knows that the Olympics is the pinnacle of all sport so to me it’s a dream come true.”
Liam began riding aged five on the BMX track in Burnham-On-Sea and made his cycling debut for Great Britain at the 2005 European Championships in France. His sister, Charley, also rides BMX bikes and has competed at the British Championships.
Town councillors in Burnham are planning an opendeck bus tour through the town for him when he returns.
