A gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London marked the first of many international milestones for cyclist Mariana Pajón Londoño. Born in Medellín on 10 October 1991, she became a foundational figure in Colombian athletics, securing her nation's second-ever Olympic gold medal and later cementing her legacy as the first Colombian to win two Olympic gold medals.
Early Development and Competitive Start
Pajón began riding a bicycle at age three and initiated track training by age four. Due to the lack of an age-appropriate category, she competed against children aged five and six in her initial races. Her competitive trajectory accelerated quickly, resulting in her first national title at age five and her first world title at age nine. She pursued her education at the Sacred Heart Montemayor Catholic school in Rionegro, located near her birthplace.
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Her international career gained momentum with her selection for the Youth Camp during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. On 1 June 2008, she secured the UCI BMX World Championship in the Junior Women's Cruiser category in Taiyuan, China. Throughout her career, she accumulated 14 world championships, two national championships in the United States, nine Latin American Championships, and 10 Pan American championships.
Olympic Dominance
During the 2012 Summer Olympics, Pajón served as the Colombian flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony. Her performance in the BMX event saw her place first in all three semifinal runs before winning the final with a time of 37.706 seconds. She defended her Olympic status at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, winning her second gold medal. She later earned a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Recognition and Personal Life
Pajón married fellow BMX rider Vincent Pelluard on 16 December 2017. Pelluard subsequently gained Colombian citizenship and began representing the country internationally. Her achievements have been recognized through the Colombian Order of Boyacá, along with Deportista del Año awards in 2012 and 2021. Medellín honored her by naming a BMX circuit after her, which served as the venue for the 2016 BMX World Championships.
Fast facts
- Born: 10 October 1991, Medellín, Colombia
- Olympic Medals: 2 Gold, 1 Silver
- World Championships won: 14
- Spouse: Vincent Pelluard
- Awards: Colombian Order of Boyacá
- First Olympic Gold: 10 August 2012
- Education: Sacred Heart Montemayor Catholic school
Questions readers ask
How many Olympic gold medals has she won?
She has won two Olympic gold medals, earning them in 2012 and 2016.
When did she marry Vincent Pelluard?
The couple was married on 16 December 2017.
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