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Kristen Faulkner
2x Olympic Gold Medalist Pro Cyclist for EF-Oatly-Cannondale
Kristen Faulkner is a remarkable American professional cyclist and double Olympic gold medalist. Born on December 18, 1992, in Homer, Alaska, she currently rides for UCI Women's Continental Team EF Education–Oatly.14 Faulkner made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by becoming the first American woman to win two gold medals in two different cycling disciplines during the same Games, triumphing in both the women's individual road race and team pursuit track cycling events.14
What sets Faulkner apart is her unconventional path to cycling success. She graduated from Harvard University in 2016 with a degree in computer science and initially pursued a career in venture capital.13 Faulkner only began competitive cycling in 2017 at the age of 25, an unusually late start for a professional athlete.1 Despite this, she quickly rose through the ranks, joining Team Tibco–Silicon Valley Bank in 2020 and later moving to EF Education–Oatly for the 2024 season.34
Faulkner's achievements include:
- Two Olympic gold medals (2024 Paris Olympics)13
- USA National Road Race Champion (2024)14
- Winner of the Omloop van het Hageland and Stage 4 of La Vuelta Feminina (2024)4
- First American to win a road racing gold medal in 40 years2
Her success story has inspired many, demonstrating that with the right mindset and dedication, it's possible to achieve extraordinary goals even when starting later in life.1 Faulkner continues to set ambitious targets, including winning a stage at the Tour de France Femmes and competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.1

