Connor Fields (BMX rider)
He conquered the Olympic BMX track in Rio, capturing America's first gold medal in the sport's thrilling, high-speed chaos.
Born 1992 (age 34)·American professional BMX racer·Birthday: September 14·Millennials
Biography
Connor Fields approached BMX racing with the methodical mind of an engineer, bringing precision to a discipline defined by its explosive, 40-second bursts of action. Growing up in Las Vegas, he traded motocross for pedal bikes as a teenager and quickly ascended the amateur ranks. His Olympic journey began with a seventh-place finish in London 2012, a learning experience that fueled a relentless four-year campaign. In Rio, Fields executed a perfect tournament, dominating his heats before surviving a harrowing, bike-clipping crash in the final turn to cross the line first. That gold medal was a historic first for the United States in Olympic BMX, a crowning achievement that was tragically followed by a severe crash during the Tokyo 2020 semifinals, which cut his competitive career short but solidified his status as a pioneer of the sport.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Connor was born in 1992, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Connor Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Connor's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the gold medal in men's BMX at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the first for an American.
- Secured the overall UCI BMX Supercross World Cup title in 2013.
- Earned multiple U.S. national championship titles in BMX.
Did You Know?
He was a standout student and graduated from Bishop Gorman High School as valedictorian.
Fields suffered a brain hemorrhage and other injuries during a crash at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
He initially trained in motocross before switching to BMX at age 14.
“I remember coming across the line and thinking, ‘Did I just win the Olympics?’”
