Connor Fields is a world-renowned BMX cyclist and Olympic champion. Instead of his past accomplishments causing extra pressure on him to perform, he believes his experience in high-level competition actually helps alleviate stress when heading into the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“I get that question a lot and I, for whatever reason, people think that there’s an added pressure because you are the past gold medalist,” Fields said at a Team USA media summit. “For me, I actually think it goes the other way. I feel, in a sense, less pressure because I’ve already done it, so now I just have this bonus opportunity to go for it again, but it’s not like somebody’s going to come into my house and take my gold medal away from me. I will always be an Olympic champion, but the fact that I have an opportunity to go for it again that’s exciting to me, but if anything I actually feel less pressure.”
