As she settles into her new role as a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC), two-time Olympic BMX gold medallist Mariana Pajón reveals the motivation behind her impact off the track.

When I first qualified for the Olympic Games, my dream was to be the best and to win a medal.

But when I won gold at London 2012, my life changed. I had a voice that I didn’t have before. So, I started to think, how can I leave a legacy beyond medals? How can I do more?

That was the start of my journey in helping others – I wanted to give back some of what sport had given to me.

An unexpected surprise

I ran for election to the IOC AC at Paris 2024 and ended up with a lot of votes, but it wasn’t enough.

My competition also didn’t go the way I wanted, but I came back home and tried to move on by continuing my work on a lot of different projects.

I also became pregnant with my son, and one hour before I gave birth, I received an email saying that I’d been appointed to the Commission. I really didn’t expect it, but it was such an awesome feeling.

I’ll always remember 28 November 2025 – the best day of my life.

Using my experience to make an impact

I’ve been an athlete representative within my sport and country for a long time now, and established my own foundation in 2013 to help other athletes.

We’re currently working on a programme called 10de10, which is supporting Colombian athletes on the road to LA28, providing opportunities that they can’t get through the National Olympic Committee.

My other main goal is to help children dream about the Olympic Games like I did. The Games changed my life, and I want to give the same inspiration to others.

My event, El Gran Fondito, gives kids the chance to participate in cycling, inline skating and athletics. It reaches 10,000 children every year and I hope that some come away thinking about the Olympics.

Most importantly, though, I want them to understand that a true champion is not just someone who brings a medal back to their country, but someone who can inspire others.

 

Changing lives through sport

Every region has different challenges, so having such a diverse Commission is really important for us to be able to have an impact all around the world.

Bringing together athletes and voices from different cultures is, to me, what the Olympic Games represent.

Of course, I think about my own region a lot, where athletes compete because they want to change their lives, give back to their families, buy their parents a house. They are athletes to survive.

I feel like we are used to crying because of sadness, but I want to see tears of happiness and pride, which is the most beautiful part of sport.

That’s why I work so hard to try and give others the opportunities that I had.

Mariana is one of seven new IOC AC members  –  five appointed by President Coventry  and  two elected by athletes at Milano Cortina 2026.  Find out more about the IOC AC and how it represents you below.