Beth Shriever: I’m still the same person – but now I get more respect

Olympic and world BMX champion Beth Shriever insists her “summer of dreams” last year has not changed her as a person as she looks to build on her success.

Shriever claimed the two biggest titles in her sport in the space of a few weeks last summer as she followed Olympic gold in Tokyo by winning the world champion’s rainbow jersey in Holland in August.

And the 22-year-old’s achievements were recognised at the Laureus Sports Award at the weekend as Shriever was named action sportsperson of the year, having been surprised with the trophy by former Olympic track champion Sir Chris Hoy during a training session in Manchester.

“It was a huge shock but obviously a lovely shock,” Shriever told the PA news agency. “I didn’t realise how massive it was until I watched videos of the gala and talked to people who said it was the Oscars of sport. It’s crazy, I’m very honoured to receive this award.”

Shriever rose to international prominence last July when she won gold in the women’s BMX racing final in Tokyo, held aloft at the finish line by team-mate Kye Whyte who had taken men’s silver just moments before to win Britain’s first Olympic BMX medal.

“It was all unexpected,” she said. “I wanted to go and enjoy the experience of my first Games, but I wasn’t going in saying I want to win or I can win…

“Again at the worlds, I carried the form from Tokyo and just went in with the same mindset of just enjoying it and what will be will be. It was the summer of dreams, pretty much.”

Recognition has not only come at awards ceremonies – Shriever now finds people coming up to her in public to congratulate her on her titles.

It is a huge change for an athlete who had to fund her own way through part of the previous Olympic cycle, with UK Sport