JAY SCHIPPERS
With the guidance of coach Rob van den Wildenberg, Jay’s skills continued to develop and grew to become a professional athlete and BMX racer. By 2014, he had a breakthrough year in the Junior category. Jay achieved great results, finishing second at the Dutch championships, third at the European championships, and an impressive 6th at the world championships in Ahoy, Rotterdam. Jay’s success in 2014 was a clear indication of the progress he had made, and it was clear that he had the potential to become a top BMX racer on the world stage.
Unfortunately, the next two years proved to be a difficult time for Jay. In 2015 and 2016, he faced numerous injuries that hindered his performance, making it challenging for him to compete against the best in the world in the elite category. Despite these setbacks, Jay refused to give up on his dream of becoming a professional athlete. He continued to work hard and remained determined to overcome his injuries.
His hard work and perseverance paid off when he was selected by the head coach for the Dutch national team in 2016. This was a major accomplishment for Jay, as it meant that he would have the opportunity to compete at the highest level and fulfill his dream of becoming a professional athlete. The selection to the national team was a recognition of his potential and the progress he had made despite the injuries. Jay’s inclusion in the national team was a step towards his ultimate goal of representing the Netherlands in the Olympic games.
In 2022, Jay achieved another major milestone in his career, winning the Dutch National BMX title for the first time ever. This victory was a testament to his hard work and dedication, and it further fueled his determination to succeed on the international stage.
Now, at the age of 26, Jay is on the cusp of fulfilling his lifelong dream of competing in the Olympic Games. In 2008, he watched with his brothers as BMX made its debut at the Beijing Olympics, and it was then that he knew he wanted to be a part of it. 15 years later, he’s determined to give it his all one last time in the hopes of winning the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
However, this journey won’t be easy. After 10 years of training and competing with the support of the Dutch Federation, Jay will now embark on this final journey alone. But with all the experiences and knowledge he’s gained over the years, he’s ready to use everything he’s learned to try and make history.
timeline
Start BMX Career
- 2000
Competing globally
- 2004-2011
Talent Team
- 2012
Breakthrough
- 2014
Dutch National team
- 2016
First European Podium
- 2017
Olympic Test Event
- 2019
European Championship
- 2021
Dutch Champion
- 2022
European Champion TTT
- 2023
Jay became European Champion Team Time Trial.
timeline
Start BMX Career
- 2000
Competing globally
- 2004-2011
Talent Team
- 2012
Breakthrough
- 2014
Dutch National team
- 2016
First European Podium
- 2017
Olympic Test Event
- 2019
European Championship
- 2021
Dutch Champion
- 2022
European Champion TTT
- 2023
Jay became European Champion Team Time Trial.