A BMX freestyle rider in black performs a trick with his hands off the handlebarsMatthieu Metivet/SWpix.com
Matthieu Metivet/SWpix.com

Jeffrey Whaley

Biography

Jeffrey Whaley is set to become Canada’s first ever Olympian in BMX freestyle when he makes his Olympic debut at Paris 2024. His 12th-place finish in the men’s freestyle park event at the 2023 UCI World Championships ended up securing the Olympic spot for Canada. It was a huge improvement from his 50th-place finish at his first world championships in 2022. 

Whaley had turned pro in 2016 but left competition behind to pursue a career as a performer with Cirque du Soleil. He joined the Canadian National BMX Freestyle Team in 2020. He was also part of CBC’s commentary team for Tokyo 2020.

Whaley joined the UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup tour in 2022. He suffered a torn PCL in his left knee that year which kept him out of competition. He returned to World Cup action in 2023 and had a top-30 result in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

A Little More About Jeffrey

Getting into the Sport: Grew up skateboarding but then all of his friends switched to BMX when he was 15 so he decided to do the same and hasn’t stopped since… Has wanted to represent Canada ever since BMX Freestyle was announced as an Olympic sport for Tokyo 2020… Outside Interests: Owns a BMX show company that tours and presents the sport to the world… Loves travelling, training in the gym… Odds and Ends: Favourite motto: “BE HAPPY”… One of his biggest athletic inspirations growing up was Canadian rider Drew Bezanson…

Notable International Results

UCI BMX World Championships: 2023 - 12th (park); 2022 - 50th (park)