06.19.11 -OLYMPIAN SAMANTHA COOLS RETIRES FROM COMPETITIVE BMX CYCLING

BMX veteran calls it quit after a successful competitive career

(Ottawa, ON – June 19, 2011) Samantha Cools, Canada’s top female BMX rider, has announced her retirement from competitive cycling.

Cools represented Canada at five UCI World Championships (2005-2009) in the elite category, finishing fifth in the 2008 edition in Taiyan (CHN) and made the semi-finals in the 2007 edition in Victoria, BC (CAN). Representing Canada at the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing (CHN), she went on to crack the Supercross finals and finish seventh.

“Sam has been the face of Canadian BMX for a long time. She will be missed by all in the BMX community. When competing, she was a very focused and driven individual. If she wanted it, she'd always work to get it - and I wish her all the best in the future,” commented Adam Muys, head coach of the Canadian BMX team.

In World Cup competition, Cools stepped on the podium once – a bronze medal in Adelaide (AUS) in 2008. In 2009, her top World Cup placing was a fifth place in Copenhagen (DEN), while in 2010, Cools finished 11th in Frejus (FRA).

In 2008, Cools enjoyed her best career Supercross ranking, finishing the season in 11th place.

The Canadian Cycling Association wishes the best for Cools in her retirement.