A 16-year-old Richmond athlete is one 100 finalists of the RBC Training Ground, serving as the Canadian Olympic Committee’s talent search platform.
BMX bike racer Lucas Zhou was one of 2,500 multi-disciplined athletes aged between 14 and 25 participating in free local qualifiers across the country.
Participants performed speed, strength, power and endurance tests in front of Olympic scouts, helping them find a sport that suits them best or to receive funding for their current disciplines.
The 100 finalists will compete in the RBC Training Ground final on Saturday, Nov. 2 in Halifax, N.S., with the top 30 athletes earning funding, a spot on Team Canada with a National Sports Organization and a chance to possibly participate in the Olympics.
Expenses for the final will be covered by RBC, and Olympic medalists and Training Ground alumni will be in attendance.
“It feels great to know that I am one of the few that have the opportunity to compete in this final,” said Zhou, calling for support as travel expenses to races and events can be expensive.
“I am also excited to represent my sport and the whole BMX community. There will be athletes from so many sports - it should be really interesting.”
During the final, athletes will compete in similar performance tests as those mentioned above, measured against specific benchmarks for their sports.
Athlete body measurements like height and wingspan, as well as their sport history will be significant factors in deciding who is selected for funding.
At his age, Zhou’s power numbers are at the level of some U23 athletes, said national team coach and BMX lead at Cycling Canada Adam Muys.
“This is important, as combined with his skills on the bike, we think he could be one of the world's best junior riders next year,” he added.
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