Olympics: Australian Natalya Diehm tells why she was HAPPY to see her best friend fail in a thrilling BMX freestyle final

BMX freestyle rider Natalya Diehm contributed to Australia’s medal haul at the Paris Olympics with bronze.

The 26-year-old Queenslander was an early leader after posting a score of 88.80 on her first run, before China’s Yawen Deng stole the lead with a score of 92.50.

Diehm narrowly missed improving her score in the second run with a score of 87.70.

She knew she was assured of a medal if her best friend and rival, Hannah Roberts of the US, failed to improve her score on her final run.

“I’ve been dreaming about this for so long, I thought I knew I was third, I was third, and until Hannah had to go, and she’s my best friend, but I wanted this so bad, but until I get this medal, I don’t know what else to say,” Diehm told Nine after winning the bronze medal.

“This is my first medal ever in a competition. And what better way to do that than at the Olympics?”

Deng won gold after narrowly improving her first score, while Perris Benegas of the US won silver with a score of 90.70 on her second run.

Diehm had qualified in eighth place, but saved her best for the final. She immediately ended her career as second starter with her excellent opening run, which earned her more than two and a half points more than anything she had shown on Tuesday.

While some of her main rivals suffered crashes and botched tricks during the dangerous cycling event on Wednesday, Diehm put in two superb runs on a scorching day at La Concorde in Paris.

Diehm was delighted with her performance.

Australian freestyle BMX rider Natalya Diehm was happy when her best friend failed

Diehm took a bronze medal in Paris on Wednesday after Hannah Roberts fell

The American’s failed second run meant the bronze went home to Diehm

“I’ve been dreaming about this for so long,” she told Channel Nine afterwards.

I don’t know what to say.

“This is my first medal ever in a competition. And what better way to do that than at the Olympics?”

Diehm, who has undergone five knee surgeries, said it has been a long time coming for her to become a top scorer again.

“I had that somersault in my possession at the last Olympics and it wasn’t until three years later that I was able to show it again. I had worked really hard for it and as soon as I took off, I knew that this was the best somersault I had ever done. I did it perfectly and I thought: I have to push myself to make it,” she said.

Diehm had this message for aspiring BMX riders in his home country of Australia.

“Keep dreaming. Dare to dream,” she said.

‘It may be a long time, it may be a short time, but I’ve been riding since I was eight years old.

Natalya Diehm celebrates her victory on the podium

Diehm reached the medal round on Wednesday after qualifying eighth in the heats with an average of 83.89 for her two runs.

His Australian colleague Logan Martin hopes to defend his Olympic title in BMX freestyle later on Wednesday.

After Diehm’s medal, Australia was in fifth place with six gold, four silver and two bronze medals.