A former BMX racer readies himself for Vancouver.

John Daly, early on in his BMX race career.

Written By: Pat Nugent, ESPN.com

In 1999, I remember watching John Daly in his semi at the NBL Grand Nationals. He became unclipped out of the gate (something that would have put anyone else out of the race.) But that didn’t happen to John. Instead, he powered his way down the first straight, catching the back of the pack, and by the second turn, was in a qualifying spot. And then, he washed out and took himself out of the running. He was 13 years old at the time.

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