More than just a successful cyclist, Mariana has given Colombian women a role on the highest-level international stages.
She has been honored as athlete of the year, received the Cross of Boyaca in 2012 for her performance at the London Olympics and at 22 years old with an entire career ahead of her, it is clear that Mariana Pajón still has more achievements to reach in her life.
Learn more about this Colombian woman who, with the typical Colombian tenacity and drive, has managed to raise the name of her country up around the world:
Mariana Pajón is as demanding in her mental training as she is in her physical training. This has allowed her to demonstrate her enormous, exceptional professional capacity in the multiple international competitions in which she has participated.
After winning a race wearing different colored socks, she began to use them in all her other competitions as well. This is one of the rituals she does before running.
Shortly before the 2012 Olympics where she was a gold medal winner, Mariana injured two tendons in her left wrist. But she didn’t tell her doctor or her mother about it, and she won the world title despite her injury.
Her other big dream is to study medicine, and although she knows she still has several years to spend on the tracks, it doesn’t matter how long she has to wait to turn this dream into reality.
As she tells it, the gold medal she won in the last Olympic Games became the standard bearer for the Colombian athletes there, since it is the support of her people that gives her the energy to face each of her competitions.
Mariana Pajón’s titles
This outstanding athlete has over 20 awards on her mantle for her impeccable performance on the BMX tracks of Colombia and the world, including 13 global awards, 12 United States championships, 9 Latin American championships, 10 Pan-American awards, and 2 Bolivian, European, South American, Central American and Caribbean championships.
Learn more about our incredible athletes and find out about biking and BMX at #LaRespuestaEsColombia.