Profile:

Mariana was brought up in a family who live for sport, especially her father and brother, who have represented Colombia in motor racing. She started BMX riding at just 4 years old and by the age of 10 she was already representing her country. Mariana became world champion at the age of nine and, since then, she has won gold in every world championship. BMX was introduced to the Olympics for the first time in 2008 and, as a potential 2012 athlete; Mariana was invited on the 2008 Beijing Olympic Youth Camp in preparation for the next Games. In 2007 and 2008 Mariana won the Colombian Junior Sports Woman of the Year award.

• Jnr World Championships, 2004 Holland - Gold
• Jnr World Championships, 2005 France - Gold
• Jnr World Championships, 2006 Brazil - Gold
• Colombian Grand National 2008 - Gold

Maria’s ambition is to compete at the London Olympics in 2012 and to return home with a gold medal for her country.

Updates:

I’m really busy competing most weeks which is great, things are going really well. I’m also managing time to fit in my school work. I recently did some filming with an international Television company for G4S, it was really good fun to do and I liked the programme.

Gallery: