Natalya Diehm shares her Los Angeles dream and why she could make world history at the Gold Coast

Fresh off the back of a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, Natalya Diehm has revealed this weekend’s BMX Freestyle National Championships may be the launching pad to show the world tricks it has never seen.

She made history in 2024 by becoming the first Australian female to win a medal in BMX freestyle at the Olympics, but Natalya Diehm is still as driven as ever.

Diehm will line up in this weekend’s BMX Freestyle National Championships on the Gold Coast without the burden of pressure and is using the opportunity to create history.

“I am excited for different reasons this time, I am excited to try and put in some new tricks that I haven’t done before,” she said.

“So looking forward to that rather than the national title and the lead up to the Olympics.

“So (I have) different goals this year and I am excited.

Natalya Diehm with her bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: Alex Broadway/Getty Images.

“It takes off so much pressure and allows that fun element to come back in and makes you remember why you do the sport and why you like to progress.

“I think it is also a way to not burn myself out, last year was such a heavy year with a lot of pressure events, this year is kind of a year where we can build up ourselves and trial new things that may or may not work for a big year next year.”

Now a recognised leader within the BMX freestyle world, Diehm is eager to revolutionise the sport and revealed her end goal in the sport.

“I would love to keep pushing the sport and setting the standard with potential women’s world first tricks - I just did one last week,” she said.

“I want to keep pushing the sport that way and doing bigger tricks and obviously still competing and getting as much podiums as I can.

“The end goal is to qualify for LA 28, a lot can happen in four years, there’s a lot of younger kids internationally that are really good at such a young age that could push me out.

“Who knows what could happen during that time, I may not qualify but that is the goal and just to keep having fun and enjoy these years while I have them because time just goes by so quickly.”

Natalya Diehm of Team Australia competes during the BMX Freestyle Women's Park Final on day five of the Olympic Games. Photo: Tim de Waele/Getty Images.

She needs no reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the quest to compete at the elite level, as her dream of an Olympic debut was almost crushed just weeks out from the Tokyo 2020 Games.

“Two weeks before flying out for the Tokyo Olympics, I ruptured my right ACL for the fifth time,” Diehm said.

“So I went over there injured knowing that I was probably not going to be able to ride 100 per cent but wanted to give to a go anyway.

“There were definitely mental demons but I think because I had done it four times prior to that, I was mentally strong enough to put it in the back of my mind and I knew what I was dealing with.

“I was very much aware of the injury and things that might put it in a vulnerable position.

“I wanted to do my best but knew I probably wasn’t able to now but I was just determined to get over there and try it anyway and showcase our sport and represent Australia.”

Originally published as Natalya Diehm shares her Los Angeles dream and why she could make world history at the Gold Coast