By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
Venezuelan Olympic BMX medalist Daniel Dhers visited Korea and held a press conference at the headquarters of the Venezuelan Embassy in Seoul on May 20, 2024.
Introducing that Daniel Dhers is a Venezuelan professional BMX rider and he is one of the most decorated BMX riders of all time, Charge d'Affaires a.i. Isabel Teresa Di Carlo Quero of Venezuela said, “Under President Maduro’s leadership, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has robustly continued the legacy of the revolutionary government, expanding social investments in sports infrastructure.”
She said, “The achievements of the Generation of Gold exemplify the resilience and talent inherent in the Venezuelan spirit, demonstrating to the world the potency of solidarity and social investment.”
On August 1, 2021, Venezuela’s National Assembly declared August 1 as the “Day of the Generation of Gold,” a day to honor and celebrate the country’s athletes who have excelled on the international stage. This celebration marks over 70 years of Venezuela’s participation in the Olympics, highlighting the success of winning 21 medals, 11 of which were secured during the revolutionary era, including seven under President Nicolas Maduro’s revolutionary leadership.
Daniel Dhers, who is now BMX freestyle coach for team China, visited Korea and he is now preparing for the participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to be held from July 26 to Aug. 11 in France.
He is currently sponsored by Red Bull, POC, DC Shoes, Specialized, Albe's Mailorder, Sony and Verizon. Dhers lived in Greenville, North Carolina, known as Protown USA because of the concentration of BMX riders that live there, including Dave Mirra.
Dhers in 2013 opened in Holly Springs, North Carolina a public mountain biking, BMX, and skateboarding park, the Daniel Dhers Action Sports Complex.
Dhers said, “I began riding BMX when I was twelve years old in Caracas to socialize with friends and in 1998 I visited skatepark.”
Then, he started traveling to different countries to compete and gain experience. In 2003, he entered his first contest. In 2006, Dhers went to the United States and won the Dew Action Sports Tour, which he would win again in 2007, 2008, and 2010. He would also win gold medals at the X Games in 2007, 2008, and 2010. He has traveled the world competing and promoting the sport.
