American Kristen Faulkner Makes History with Cycling Gold

Faulkner Ends 40-Year Drought at Paris Olympics

Faulkner's Victory a Triumph for American Cycling

Kristen Faulkner, a 31-year-old American cyclist from Silicon Valley, has ended a 40-year drought for the United States in the women's road race at the Olympics.

Faulkner, riding for UCI Women's Continental Team, pulled away from the field in the final kilometers of the race in Paris on Sunday, August 4, 2024. She crossed the finish line in a time of 3 hours, 27 minutes, and 53 seconds, ahead of silver medalist Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy and bronze medalist Lizzy Banks of Great Britain.

Faulkner's victory is a major triumph for American cycling. It is the first time an American has won the women's road race at the Olympics since Marianne Martin in 1984.