Athletes take a leap as Olympic Qualifier Series takes shape on Leap Day
Athletes have been showcasing their skills around the streets of Shanghai and Budapest this Leap Day, as anticipation grows ahead of the start of the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) in May. Some 288 of the 464 athletes set to compete in BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing have now been confirmed, with the list of skateboarding participants to be finalised in March.
In both Shanghai and Budapest, the two host cities of the inaugural Olympic Qualifier Series, athletes from all four OQSs sports have leapt headlong into this Olympic year by showcasing their skills around the host cities and giving locals a taste of what to expect during the two-part series.
Athletes confirmed for BMX freestyle, breaking and sport climbing
The Olympic Qualifier Series, a new series of festival-style events combining sport with urban culture, will see 464 athletes competing for the final qualification spots for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Some 288 of those looking to book their tickets for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in three of the four OQS sports – breaking, BMX freestyle and sport climbing – have now been confirmed, and are set to compete at the Huangpu Riverside in Shanghai from 16 to 19 May and the Ludovika Campus in Budapest from 20 to 23 June.
In line with the Olympic Games Paris 2024 – the first Olympic Games to have full gender parity on the field of play – the sports in the Olympic Qualifier Series will feature an equal number of male and female athletes.
In BMX freestyle, the athlete roster is now set, with 48 competitors ready to vie for their spots at Paris 2024. Among these athletes is Charlotte Worthington, Olympic champion in BMX freestyle.
Literally embodying the idea of Leap Day, Worthington showcased a series of impressive tricks and leaps against the stunning backdrop of host city Shanghai. She immersed herself in the local urban sports culture, performing tricks alongside young enthusiasts in BMX freestyle at Huangpu Riverside Skate Park, the designated space for sports initiation during the Olympic Qualifier Series in Shanghai.
Worthington said: “I'm really excited about participating in the Olympic Qualifier Series. Every athlete is there for one goal, which is to represent their country at Paris 2024. I think the four sports go together very well.
I want to enjoy the experience while I do that. I know that I'm going to work very hard and put it all on the line. So I'm going to make sure that I enjoy it and I'm relaxed, and that's when I ride at my best. I will also be there as a fan of the other sports and their cultures! It’s great to see the sports cross over, giving spectators the opportunity to experience this too, which I think can inspire them to try action sports!
For BMX freestyle, the National Federation quotas can be found here.
In breaking, 80 athletes – 40 B-Boys and 40 B-Girls – will battle it out to secure quota spots in the sport that is making its debut on the Olympic sports programme. Among them is Hungarian native B-Girl Csenge, who said: “When I started breaking, nobody thought that it could be an Olympic sport. The fact that we have now been accepted has given the sport a huge boost, and many more people have got to know it. The Olympic Qualifier Series also gives me the opportunity to meet and compete with the best in the world.”
The full list of confirmed athletes in breaking is available here.
Some 160 athletes are gearing up to compete in sport climbing across two disciplines at the OQS. The competition will see 64 athletes in the speed category and 96 in boulder and lead. Among these is Hungarian boulder and lead climber Tusnády Nimród Sebestyén, who shared his thoughts on the evolution of his sport and how this has fuelled his ambition, especially with the ultimate qualification stage unfolding in his home country.
All my childhood, I dreamed of making it to the Olympics one day. As I got older and progressed in my career, the sport became more and more popular, and then was accepted as an Olympic sport. This gives me extra motivation and creates a goal for us athletes: I want to be there at the Olympics. After all, this is still the most prestigious competition for any sportsman.
The list of participating athletes in sport climbing is accessible here.
The list of participating athletes in skateboarding, both park and street, will be finalised in March. The skateboarding events in the OQS will feature 88 athletes in each discipline.
The lists of athletes are subject to change, and all quotas allocated for the Olympic Qualifier Series are the responsibility of the respective International Federations.
The Olympic Qualifier Series is a significant milestone on the journey to Paris 2024 for many athletes, as it serves as the ultimate qualification stage in BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing.
About the Olympic Qualifier Series
The Olympic Qualifier Series, a key project under Olympic Agenda 2020+5, brings together the best athletes in BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing in a single urban park. The compact events, held over four days, offer fans an immersive Olympic experience that merges sport, art, music and culture. The Shanghai stop on the OQS will be held at the Huangpu Riverside from 16 to 19 May 2024, while the Budapest event will take place at the Ludovika Campus from 20 to 23 June 2024. The two-part series, taking place in the period leading up to the Olympic Games, will be an important step in determining which athletes qualify for Paris 2024.
To stay informed about the Olympic Qualifier Series, visit the dedicated page on Olympics.com or sign up to receive Olympic Qualifier Series news.