On July 30, 2021, Mariana Pajón stands on the Olympic BMX podium — for the third time in a row. After gold in London and gold in Rio, she takes silver in Tokyo. On the same day, Carlos Ramírez rides to bronze with a time of 40.572 seconds. Both wear Suarez.
The results
Pajón is the dominant figure in BMX racing of the last decade. Two Olympic gold medals, in 2012 and 2016, have made her the best-known Colombian athlete. In Tokyo, she was only beaten by Britain’s Bethany Shriever. Silver in a field that has become younger and faster — not a bad result.
Ramírez completes the Colombian podium with bronze in the men’s event. Colombia is one of only two nations with medals in both BMX categories.
Suarez in Olympic action
As a long-standing supplier to the Federación Colombiana de Ciclismo, Suarez supplies the competition clothing for all of the Colombian team’s cycling disciplines. The BMX suits are cut more robustly than road jerseys — more protection, less aerodynamics, different stress zones. The team’s road and track riders also compete in Suarez.
The fact that the kits come from Medellín — the city where Pajón grew up and trains — is no coincidence. Suarez develops in close proximity to the athletes who wear the kit.
Assessment
Olympic medals in equipment from a Colombian brand — that sends out a signal. While Nike, Adidas and Castelli dress entire delegations, Suarez shows that a specialized brand from Medellín can compete at the highest level. In terms of visibility outside South America, an Olympic podium is worth more than any advertising campaign.