Year: 2021
Award: Cycling- Olympics
Affiliation: University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
2020 Olympic gold medalist, 2020 Olympic bronze medalist (team), 2021 UCI Track Cycling
World Championships
Jennifer Valente made headlines in 2020 when she won gold in women’s cycling. It was the first time that a woman from the United States won the four-race event and overcame the reigning world champion. Valente previously won a silver medal in the 2016 Olympic games and a bronze with the 2020/2021 Olympic cycling team. Not only did Valente dominate in the Olympic Games, but also the 2021 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, where she placed 1st. In the end, Valente tallied seven 1st place finished, 2 second place finishes, and 4 third place finishes.