Hometown Olympic hero honored

Olympic bronze medalist Nikita Ducarroz will visit her hometown and be honored by the City of Sonoma on Saturday, January 15.

The public is welcome to attend the 2 p.m. ceremony in front of City Hall on Sonoma Plaza.

Nikita Ducarroz, a world-class BMX rider, grew up in Glen Ellen. Representing her father’s homeland of Switzerland, she took the bronze in Women’s BMX freestyle cycling at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Now the #1 ranked rider in the world, she won a silver medalist at the World Champions in France, and was the gold medalist at the European BMX Championships in Moscow.

“We are so proud of what Nikita was able to accomplish at the Tokyo Olympics, World Champions, and the European BMX Championships,” Sonoma City Mayor Jack Ding said. “Nikita has become a BMX freestyle cycling legend, and it is an honor to celebrate all of her medal victories. Her skill and dedication are an inspiration.”

The city recognition is one of several events celebrating Ducarroz on January 15. The festivities begin with a Devils Darlin’s Car Cruise that will start at 1:15 p.m. in Eldridge, travel through Glen Ellen, the Springs, and end in the Sonoma Plaza “horseshoe” in front of City Hall at 2:00 p.m.

The public is invited to come out at any point along the driving route to cheer on the local Olympian as she drives by. A route map is available on the city’s website at www.sonomacity.org/event/nikita-ducarroz/.

Following the plaza ceremony, Ms. Ducarroz and her coach, Daniel Wedemeijer, will travel to Picazo Kitchen & Bar located at 19101 Sonoma Hwy in the Maxwell Village Shopping Center for a “meet and greet” after 3 p.m.

People who want to be guaranteed table seating at the restaurant are encouraged to make a reservation using www.resy.com or by calling 707-935-3287.

Under The Sun with Nikita Ducarozz — The Sun interview