A journey that began on a clunky hand-me-down bicycle on the Inverness Ridge will take Savilia Blunk to Paris next month, where she will race in the women’s cross-country mountain bike competition at the 2024 Olympics.

Ms. Blunk, who is ranked number one in the United States and number seven in the world, is one of two women selected for the American team. USA Cycling announced her selection on Tuesday.

“I’ve always wanted to race…