Colombia’s Mariana Pajon repeats as Olympic BMX champion

Colombian cyclist Mariana Pajon, the defending Olympic champion in women’s BMX, won the final at the 2016 Rio Games on Friday.

Pajon took the gold after completing the course in 34.093 seconds, 0.342 seconds ahead of U.S. silver medalist Alise Post.

The bronze medal went to Stefany Hernandez of Venezuela.

In the men’s BMX final, U.S. rider Connor Fields won gold and Dutch competitor Jelle van Gorkom came away with the silver medal, while Colombia’s Carlos Ramirez shared the bronze with American Nicholas Long.

The performances of Pajon and Ramirez boosted Colombia’s medal count at the 2016 Rio Olympics to seven: three gold; two silver; and two bronze.