A woman who competed in Charleston’s USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships is now an Olympic champion. Kristen Faulkner of Homer, Alaska, won an Elite U23 road race in Charleston this past May before claiming a gold medal in Paris, according to a news release from the Charleston Visitors Bureau. Faulkner rode faster than 92 other cyclists in a 158-kilometer women’s road race, marking the first Team USA road race medal in 40 years. Professional cycling will be back in the capital city in May 2025.