How much different did the track look when you saw it for the first time?
Simone Christensen: I think I was one of the only ones that didn't try it before, was too busy with my school to take a trip to Brazil at that time the track was open. 
How big was your team arond you in Rio? (mechanic, coach, nutrition, physio, family/friends, etc...)
Simone Christensen: Team Denmark gave 2 accreditations for BMX staff which was for my coach and mechanic. Besides that we sometimes had a doctor or other staff from the team Denmark staff if they had the time to go with us, but mostly it was them two :)
Were you in the best shape you've ever been in when it was time to race on the Olympic track?
Simone Christensen: YES! I don't think I realised before at the practise in Rio, man I felt fast! And when it came down to racing I felt like I took it up a notch even more, battling with girls down the first straight that I normally don't! I was so proud of the level I showed at the Olympics, which helps a bit on the disappoint of the result!
How was staying in the Olympic village?
Simone Christensen: It was awesome! Better than I dreamt about, and I really enjoyed every bit of the stay! It was so cool seeing so many athletes from so many different sports, and living in flats with the other Danish athletes. And then besides that, it was a beautiful park they had in between the flat buildings.
Did you live by the rules during your stay?
Simone Christensen: Uhm, yeah I think so haha!
Did you get to hang out with other athletes from different countries and different sports?
Simone Christensen: Yeah a lot, I really enjoyed feeling like being part of a big team: the Danish team and I did my best to be a part of it in the best way by supporting the other athletes as much as I could. So I mostly hung out with the Danish athletes and got some good new friends! 
Did you participate in the opening/closing ceremonies and how was that experience?
Simone Christensen: I was at the closing ceremony which was really fun, a good way to celebrate the people taking medals home to Denmark! It was too bad that it was raining and pretty cold, but it was still a big experience that I will remember!
Did you ride a special bike in Brasil?
Simone Christensen: Yes! Pure Bicycles made the bike I dreamt of having at the Olympics! It was red, with kinda girly flowery pattern on it in black which made it super bad ass, but also pretty at the same time! And all the parts from my sponsors matched beautifully, I never had that cool of a bike before!
Were you proud riding in the National Team colours?
Simone Christensen: Very proud! I was actually surprised of the proudness it gave me, as I always thought people over exaggerated about it... but it was really special riding it and knowing a lot of people in Denmark was following me and my racing far away on national tv! 
Did you get to watch any other sports during your stay?
Simone Christensen: Yeah 3 times! I went to watch the finals in wrestling as we had a guy in the final, and he got a silver medal! Saturday night we went to watch athletic finals, which was cool cause there's so many things going on! But the coolest was Sunday, the last day of the Olympics. I'd say the Danish national sport is handball, and the Men's handball team made it to the final - which they WON! Was awesome to watch live, not many can say they've done that!
Was it worth it spending four years of hard training to do this one Olympic race?
Simone Christensen: Yeah definitely, I loved being part of such a massive sports event, and getting that feeling of showing the whole world the coolest sport in the world; BMX! It was a big goal and you have it in your mind for many years, and finally being there feels so unrealistic, but in a good way!
2020 Tokyo. What are your plans?
Simone Christensen: Yeah I'm definitely aiming for Tokyo 2020, as I would love to see the difference between two Olympics, like being able to compare them in some way! And then of course because I wanna represent myself and my country once again at an Olympic Games!
Thanks to:
Pure bicycles
Phaze
Specialized Denmark
222cycles
Maxxis
Answer
Faith
Virus
Fly Racing Denmark
100%
HT components
My Olympic Experience: Simone Christensen
Name: Simone Christensen
Number in Rio: 210
Country: Denmark
Result: out of the semi final
How big was your struggle even making it to the Olympics?
Simone Christensen: I think I was pretty good to not worry too much about points during the races the year towards the Olympics.. so just did my best every time and tried to archive goals for every specific race.. but when I crashed and broke my collarbone in Papendal it started to get pretty exciting, as I couldn't go to the world championship and therefore lost a lot of world ranking points from the worlds 2015, where I had a lot! But luckily my good result during the year kept me in the spot for an Olympic place!
What were your personal goals two weeks before the Olympic race?
Simone Christensen: It was to make the final! Couldn't dream of anything bigger than standing in an Olympic final!
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.