BMX World Championships Media Release

 No: bmx1009

8 June 2010

Kloof schoolgirl prepares for BMX Worlds in Switzerland

Pietermaritzburg - Kloof teenager Teagan O'Keeffe has jetted to Europe to prepare for the UCI BMX World Championships in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August, four weeks after breaking her arm in a training accident.

The junior elite star is one of the bright prospects in the South African team for the Worlds, and is passionate about making a serious challenge for medals in front of her hometown fans.

O'Keefe has joined Thomas Allier at the World Cycle Centre in Switzerland to sharpen her skills and conditioning before returning home for the final preparations for the World Championships at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg.

"She is extremely amped and excited to get home and race in her own country,” said her mother Dawn O'Keeffe.

O'Keefe was offered the opportunity to train in Switzerland, and jump at it. “I’ve only seen her for two weeks this year, but I couldn’t not let her go to Switzerland," said her mother. "It was something she really wanted. She’s followed her dream and she always seems very happy.”

17 year old O'Keeffe has the full support of her school Thomas More College, which has allowed her substantial leniency to accommodate her BMX dreams. "They have been fantastic in accommodating her schedule. The Headmaster has said that opportunities like this don't always come your way, so make the most of them," says Dawn O'Keeffe.

"She will always be able to get her matric even if she does it over two years," she added. "They have kept her on their records and continue to support her in every way." 

The O'Keeffe family is immersed in the sport of BMX racing, with Teagan's two brothers both riding competitively, and older brother Jordon also a member of the national team to the worlds at the end of July, and younger brother Thaine boasting as much of the BMX skills as his two siblings.

“It’s was often hard watching her grow up muscling with the guys,” said O'Keeffe. “We often laugh and say tissue oil is her best friend, because she’s always covered with bumps and scratches,” she added.

“As a family we often travel internationally to support her and her brothers," said O'Keeffe. "I like to make sure they feel well and are eating correctly."

"As a mother you get to know your child’s little idiosyncrasies so you know when they are feeling nervous and how to tweak their mood. I can’t get on the bike for her, so it’s my way of helping out,” she added.

O'Keefe has taken the opportunity of challenging for a medal in her elite junior girls age group in her home country extremely seriously, and her loyal family believes that she has the Big Match Temperament to perform on the BMX world's ultimate stage.

“She definitely has that X factor," said mother Dawn O'Keeffe. "She’s got something special!"

The UCI BMX World Championships takes place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August. More information can be found at www.bmxworldchampspmb.co.za

ENDS

Kloof schoolgirl Teagan O'Keeffe is currently training in Switzerland to sharpen her skills ahead of the UCI BMX World Champs in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August.

Dean Demos/
Gameplan Media

Teagan O'Keeffe (right) who set to compete in the UCI BMX World Champs in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August, is seen here racing with younger brother Thaine.

Dean Demos/
Gameplan Media

Kloof schoolgirl Teagan O'Keeffe is set to compete in the UCI BMX World Champs in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August.

Dean Demos/
Gameplan Media

Teagan O'Keeffe

Lloyd Ramsay/
Gameplan Media