Laura Smulders
A Dutch BMX powerhouse who battled through injury and fierce competition to stand on multiple Olympic podiums.
Born 1993 (age 33)·Dutch racing cyclist·Birthday: December 9·Millennials
Biography
Laura Smulders represents the relentless drive of Dutch BMX. Entering the sport alongside her sister, Merel, she quickly established herself as a fierce competitor on the world stage. Her breakthrough came at the 2012 London Olympics, where as a teenager she surged to a bronze medal, announcing the Netherlands as a major force in women's BMX. What followed was a career marked by both dominance and adversity. She collected European and World Championship titles, but a severe knee injury in 2015 threatened her future. Characteristically determined, Smulders fought back to peak form for the Rio 2016 Games, though she narrowly missed the podium. Her perseverance was ultimately rewarded in Tokyo 2021, where she once again claimed Olympic bronze, cementing her legacy as one of the most consistent and resilient riders of her generation.
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.
Laura was born in 1993, 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 Laura Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Laura's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won an Olympic bronze medal in women's BMX at the 2012 London Games.
- Earned a second Olympic bronze medal at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games in 2021.
- Secured the UCI BMX World Championship title in 2018.
- Won multiple European Championship titles in BMX racing.
Did You Know?
Her younger sister, Merel Smulders, is also an elite BMX racer and they have competed against each other at the Olympics.
She suffered a serious knee injury (torn ACL) in 2015 but returned to win a world title three years later.
She comes from a sporting family; her father was a motocross racer.
She won her second Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo after a dramatic photo finish determined the final placings.
“I'm not here to make friends; I'm here to win races.”
