One Year Later: Haley Batten’s Paris Silver Shines Brighter Than Ever

On July 28 one year ago, on a humid day in Paris, Haley Batten rode into U.S. Olympic history. Her silver medal in women’s cross-country mountain biking — the nation’s best finish ever in the discipline — was not just a career-defining achievement, but a testament to unshakable resolve.

Now, as Batten recovers from a fractured hand sustained in a short track crash on June 20, she’s using this quieter season to reflect, rebuild and reframe her focus toward something even bigger: purpose beyond the podium.

The 26-year-old described her most recent Olympic performance as nothing short of “magical” — but it was far from smooth sailing. After a shaky start and a devastating flat tire midway through the race, Batten's chances looked slim.

“I had a really bad start,” the Specialized Factory Racing rider recalled. “I worked my way up into the middle, and I was literally so close to battling for bronze. Then I came into a rock garden really fast, broke my wheel, and flatted. A bunch of riders passed me. It was like, ‘Am I going to lose this opportunity I’ve worked so hard for?’”

But instead of panicking, Batten did what champions do. She focused. “I just quickly went into, ‘Well, I can’t control that now. What can I control?” she said. “It was all or nothing. I didn’t care how hard I had to go after that.”

Her charge back into the medal hunt was one of the most thrilling comebacks in Olympic mountain biking history. “I remember a moment when I was catching up to the riders battling for silver and bronze. I’d gone so hard. If they had attacked right then, it probably would’ve been game over for me,” she admitted. “But they didn’t. They were riding steady. And I knew from then on — I could medal for sure.”

Batten’s silver made her only the third American woman to medal in Olympic mountain biking. It was a defining result for Team USA and one that brought global attention to her hometown of Park City, Utah.

But for Batten, the reward was more than the medal.

“To me, it wasn’t about losing gold,” the 26-year-old said. “That race was the best of everything I had. It was just so rewarding, so exciting. Honestly, one of the coolest races I’ve ever been a part of.”

Behind the scenes, she remembered a feeling of deep camaraderie. “We had this incredible USA Cycling support system. Everyone — from the chefs to the mechanics — was just united. That medal represents all of that. It’s about teamwork, passion and love for our sport.”

After the high of Paris, 2024 proved to be one of the toughest years of Batten’s life. She suffered two concussions, and in November, her mother was diagnosed with leukemia.

“Cycling is easy compared to life,” she reflected. “When I broke my hand, people were like, ‘I’m so sorry,’ and I thought — honestly, no worries. That’s the least of it. I’ve got perspective now.”

This year, Batten has dedicated her riding to leukemia awareness and fundraising. She’ll host a major campaign with the Leukemia Research Foundation this September, during Leukemia Awareness Month.

“Opening up about my story has been really cool,” she said. “So many people have reached out and shared their own. It’s just a reminder to live fully, be kind — those basic things that are easy to forget.”

Though her 2025 race calendar has been interrupted, Batten hasn’t lost her drive. If anything, she’s hungrier than ever.

“I feel a lot more like myself right now,” she said from California, where she’s been recovering and training. “This period has let me come back to the rider I know I am.”

Despite the setbacks, she’s looking ahead. Her sights are set on the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

“I’ve got big goals. I want to win more world cups. I want Olympic gold,” she said. “This year is about learning, rebuilding and laying that foundation.”

One unexpected highlight this season came when Batten stepped into the broadcast booth for her first commentary gig after crashing out of a world cup short track event.

“I ran into the media guys, and they were like, ‘Want to give it a shot?’ I thought, why not?” she said. “It was definitely different to watch your own competitors race and talk about it, but I really enjoyed it. I’ve always loved analyzing tactics and course dynamics.”

Still, Batten is itching to be back on the course herself.

Batten hopes her Paris performance will continue to inspire the next generation of U.S. cyclists, especially girls.

“Cycling gave me independence and strength as a young woman through middle and high school,” she said. “I hope my medal continues to grow opportunities for young cyclists to travel and compete on the highest level. But also to just get excited to ride their bike to school — creating a more cycling-friendly community and inspiring the next generation of champions.”

As one of the leaders of a rising wave in U.S. mountain biking, Batten knows the impact of visibility. “There’s a wave of excitement for our sport in the U.S., and I think my medal is part of that. It’s exciting!” 

Even with an Olympic silver in her trophy case, Batten doesn’t dwell on past success.

“I’ve celebrated it. I’ve appreciated it,” she said. “But you’re only as good as your last race. I still want more.”

That desire — tempered now by wisdom and perspective — burns bright.

“I’ve learned how strong the human body is. How much attitude matters. Life is hard, but you can be strong. And that’s kind of a choice,” she said. “That’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”

On the one-year anniversary of her Paris triumph, Haley Batten isn’t resting on her laurels. She’s pushing forward with clarity, conviction and heart. Her silver medal may have marked the moment she conquered the world, but it’s everything she’s done since that proves just how much further she’ll go.

Lisa Costantini has covered Olympic and Paralympic sports for more than a decade, including for the International Olympic Committee. She is a freelance writer who has contributed to TeamUSA.com since 2011.