This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Arielle Martin hopes she can fulfill her dream at the BMX World Championships this time, not endure another nightmare.
The 27-year-old Cedar Hills native and Brigham Young University graduate is one of 15 American riders who will compete at the event next month in England, USA Cycling announced Friday, giving her one more opportunity — finally — to reach the Olympics.
Four years ago, Martin headed to the World Championships locked in an agonizingly tight battle with her friend and roommate, Jill Kintner, for the only women's spot on the U.S. team that would compete at the 2008 Beijing Games in China — the first to feature BMX.
But Martin crashed in the quarterfinals, ensuring Kintner would go to Beijing and Martin would stay home.
Now, Martin has another chance.
If she and the Americans perform well enough at the world championships in Birmingham on May 24-27, they will ensure that two women will be able to race in the London Games. Martin also could lock up her spot on the team in Birmingham, since that's the last event that will be used for qualifying. —