JAKARTA, Indonesia – With the Olympic dream right in front of her, Sienna Fines will risk everything for it – even if it’s something as important to her as education. 

“I’m taking a break [from school] for this next Olympics cycle. Just taking a break to focus everything I have on my time to making the 2020 Games,” said Fines. 

The 19-year-old BMX rider proved her worth among Asia’s elite on Saturday, August 25 as she rallied to 5th place all the way from the bottom in the final round. 

Although it wasn’t a podium finish, Fines gave herself a pat on the back after realizing that she raced to a strong finish despite the initial setbacks and the continuous struggles she had to endure just to reach her pro BMX dream. 

“A week ago, I was in the hospital bed, I tore a disc in my back, I couldn’t even walk and now here I am racing in the Asian Games, it just feels amazing,” recalled Fines. 

To fulfill her Olympic dream, however, training full-time won’t just be enough for the California-based rider. Fines also needs financial support as she tries to juggle day jobs.

“If there is anyone out there who’d like to support me, that’d be greatly appreciated because it’s so hard back at home, I’m working two jobs, living in California – babysitting and I work at an elementary school – so I’m just really doing everything that I can,” said Fines. 

The Filipina added that she needed to move 3 hours away from her family in order to train with American professional BMX racer Joey Bradford. 

For sure, Fines isn’t about to give up. But a little support will be much appreciated by this young Olympic hopeful. – Rappler.com