Marcus Christopher – USA – qualified second

BUDAPEST - Comments from USA’s Marcus Christopher after scoring 92.98 points to finish second in the Men’s BMX Freestyle at the OQS Budapest and secure a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Saturday.

Marcus Christopher – USA – qualified second

On qualifying for Paris 2024:

“I am feeling great, I got second and I secured my spot in the Olympics. I can’t complain. I think relief (is the main emotion). I was so stressed. Qualifying, especially after coming off 11th place and crashing in Shanghai. Being second here is amazing.”

On today’s runs:

“I messed up one time but I don’t think many people knew. I was supposed to do a 360 back flip with the wedge spine but it was still a good run. I always try to land my first run. It doesn’t always work out but we got it done.

“It was hard to keep speed (on today’s course). A lot of courses I pedal pretty hard and look aggressive on the bike. That’s kind of how I ride.”

On whether the light rain before his last run affected him:

“I wasn’t too nervous. I went last (on the second run) so I knew I was coming second anyway. I was ready to go in the rain. I was tired of waiting. I thought ‘let’s just get it over with’.”

On his plans now:

“I’m going to the X Games to compete right after this. Then training. On the bike, off the bike, in the gym, eating good. A lot of the top guys aren’t going (to the X Games) because they don’t want to risk it (getting injured before the Olympic Games), but me and Justin (Dowell, USA) are going to go and chill.

“We will still put solid runs down but chill so we don’t get hurt. Justin is an amazing rider, you have to be to make it to the Olympics.”

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