World champion BMXer from Red Deer, Molly Simpson, accepts Mayor’s Recognition Award

The award recognizes individuals or teams placing first in a national event or competition; or placing first, second or third in an international event or competition sanctioned by the respective national or international governing body; or placing first at the highest possible level that can be achieved in their sport.

Simpson has excelled and beyond in this respect.

Her accolades include participating in seven World Cup Finals, as part of the Canadian National Team, and becoming the first and youngest Canadian female BMXer to win gold in 2022. It was then that she switched from competing in the under 23-year-old category to Elite, the highest category for advanced BMXers above the age of 19.

Stepping onto multiple podiums, she is currently ranked fifth in the world and is the youngest in the top 10.

“It’s two to three hours a day of training and recovery, and nutrition is really important. I have an amazing coach and the national team is helping to guide me in the best way they can. You have to be very determined and you’ve got to have fun while you’re doing it as well,” she said.

Mollly Simpson on her custom-made BMX bike at City Hall Park on Friday. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Finding her first passion in hockey, she tried BMX racing off a suggestion from her cousin at the young age of 10 at Red Deer’s local track (5504 56 Ave.). She bought her first bike that same day, made the Olympic development team at age 14, and was ranked top 16 in the world as an amateur.

Simpson described her attraction to the adrenaline, competition, and making friends all over the world during her travels.

“You have to trust yourself; I think that’s the main thing. Be confident, trust yourself and know that you’re capable of going 30 kilometres an hour over a jump,” she said.

Being one of the youngest riders in her calibre, she says she is honoured to receive compliments from other racers, like her best friend and fellow BMXer from the Netherlands, Laura Smulders.

She also enjoys hearing from fans and coaching younger riders as a way of giving back to the sport.

“I’m looking to inspire others and make others realize that they can get to where I am and it’s just a matter of time and the work you put in,” she said.

“I want to be supportive and I want to be humble and do everything I can to make everybody feel happy and have a good time.”

Her dream is to one day become an Olympic champion as she heads to the Paris Summer Olympics next year.

Mayor Johnston said he wanted to personally thank the athlete for putting the city on the world stage.

“What struck me about Molly is her humility, her grace, her ability to take her accomplishments and not have them speak for her; she really speaks from the heart. She’s quite endearing in that way,” said the mayor.

“Here we have the ideal ambassador. We have somebody like that who’s got the credibility, 10 years now in the sport; she has such opportunity to touch so many kids.”

Simpson thanked the mayor by presenting him with a gift of her own: the exact shirt she wore to win her third consecutive women’s Championship and eighth national title overall in Drummondville, Quebec this Canada Day.

Molly Simpson (right) signs the shirt she wore at her most recent competition win on the back of Sean McIntyre, Chief of Staff, to give to Mayor Ken Johnston (centre). (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Simpson still lives in Red Deer with her family but spends most of her time in Vancouver, British Columbia where the national team trains.

Follow her on Instagram @mollysimpsonn44.

by Alessia Proietti

World champion BMXer from Red Deer, Molly Simpson, accepts Mayor’s Recognition Award

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