Five key takeaways from the Olympic Qualifier Series
Paris 2024 quota drama, thousands of spectators and the best action in four urban sports - the Olympic Qualifier Series had it all. Here we take a look back at the highlights of the two-stage competition in Shanghai and Budapest.
The first-ever Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) came to a thrilling conclusion in the Hungarian capital Budapest with 158 quotas to Paris 2024 secured across the sports of BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing.
There were more than 450 urban athletes from over 120 national federations lighting up the Ludovika Urban Park - and making global headlines.
Here we look back on the five key takeaways from the urban sports festival.
1. Don't count out the champions
Tokyo 2020 street skateboarding gold medallist Horigome Yuto needed to win OQS Budapest to even have a chance at defending his Olympic title.
What did he do? Under intense pressure, the Japanese superstar delivered and claimed victory in the Hungarian capital by recording the highest-ever trick score on the Road to Paris 2024.
Olympic sport climbing champion Alberto Ginés López was also far from his top form when he entered OQS in Shanghai.
The Spaniard needed to deliver big time - and he did, obtaining a quota with apparent ease.
Enter Sky Brown. The British star has not competed at a World Skate event since May 2023 after skipping the last phase one qualifier in Dubai to compete at the 2024 ISA Surfing Games. Before that, she missed the Park World Championships in Rome due to injury.
A recent medial knee cruciate ligament tear kept the 15-year-old out of Shanghai. The 2023 park world champion needed to compete in Budapest - and collect valuable points. She did just that, and helped her best friend - Olympic champion Yosozumi Sakura - secure a ticket to Paris.
2. Diversity in urban sports
It is no surprise that Japan has a seemingly endless production line of skateboarding talent, sweeping the podiums in both men's and women's street.
Japan also took all three podium places in women's breaking which will make its Olympic debut in Paris.
Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China confirmed its elite status in women's BMX freestyle with two quotas secured. Chinese riders swept the podium on home soil in Shanghai before Sun Jiaqi and Deng Jawen took third and fourth respectively in Budapest behind American pair Hannah Roberts and Perris Benegas.
Kazakhstan's Amir Maimuratov and Reza Alipour Shenazandifard of the Islamic Republic of Iran secured quota spots in speed climbing, while Finland's 13-year-old park sensation Heili Sirvio is hoping to skate in Paris, if selected by her NOC.
Thailand's 12-year-old street skater Vareeraya Sukasem and Morocco's Aya Asaqas also grabbed quota spots for their countries.
3. OQS a dazzling success
The inaugural Olympic Qualifier Series was full of drama and thrills with more than 150 athletes securing quota places for the Paris 2024 Games.
The second and final OQS stage in Budapest came to a close on Olympic Day (23 June), marking the end of qualifying in BMX freestyle, breaking, sport climbing and skateboarding.
More than 100,000 fans came out in both host cities, Shanghai and Budapest, to support the athletes during the festival-style event, which blended sports with culture, music and art.
4. Breakout stars to watch at Paris 2024
Japan's Onodera Gingwoo and Australia's Arisa Trew were both already known as rising stars, but the two teen skaters solidified this status even more at the Olympic Qualifier Series.
Chinese speed climber Wu Peng has shown he is a force to be reckoned with by finishing second in Shanghai and winning in Budapest. He won his first speed World Cup at last year's home event in Wujiang in September and repeated his victory there in April 2024.
5. Double winners
You want in-form urban stars?
We give you French BMX freestyle ace Anthony Jeanjean, Australia's park skating queen Arisa Trew, Team USA sport climber Brooke Raboutou and, in men's breaking, Dutch B-Boy Lee.
All four managed to win their competitions in both Shanghai and Budapest.
Watch out world, for they are on a mission for Paris 2024.
