Published: August 9, 2012
Burnham-On-Sea BMX rider Liam Phillips into Olympics semi-finals

Burnham-On-Sea BMX rider Liam Phillips kept his Olympic medal hopes alive today (Thursday, August 9th) when he progressed into the semi-finals.

Liam, 23, finished in second place in all three of his quarter final motos races, each time behind American Connor Fields.

In a post on Twitter afterwards, he wrote: "Damn, that was amazing! So much support from everyone at the BMX track today and so much fun."

The former Burnham BMX Club member finished with six points to see him qualify comfortably for Friday's semi-finals.

Liam will take part in Friday's semi-finals at 3.08pm and then hopes to progress into the final at 4.40pm.

Cheering on Liam at the event were his family, friends and supporters, who will also be eagerly watching him on Friday.

Liam, 23, was raised in Burnham-On-Sea and went to Highbridge's King Alfred School. Both of his parents were involved in BMX and Liam's father is a former national coach who helped to set up the Burnham BMX Club.

Liam won his first European title in 1999, and represented Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics when he reached the BMX quarter finals in Beijing.

Liam suffered a fractured collarbone in a fall at the 2012 BMX World Championships in Birmingham earlier this year, but had surgery and says he is back to full fitness and ready for action.