Saudi-hosted 2028 Olympics qualifier in BMX cycling canceled after Riyadh airport bombing
Anthony Jeanjean, of France, performs a trick, with the Luxor Obelisk of La Concorde square in the background, during the cycling BMX freestyle men's park final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
AIGLE, Switzerland — A BMX cycling qualifying event in Saudi Arabia for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was canceled Friday after deadly missile attacks from neighboring Yemen.
The Urban Cycling World Championships were due to be staged Nov. 3-7 in Riyadh, where the city’s airport has been bombed in the past week by the Houthi rebel group.
“The decision follows a joint assessment of recent developments in the region and their impact on the logistical organization of the championships,” the International Cycling Union said in a statement announcing the events “will not proceed.”
Earlier Friday, the Australian cycling federation pulled its team citing travel advice about “the unpredictable security situation, with military strikes and reprisal attacks occurring across the country, including Riyadh.”
“In light of these developments, AusCycling cannot justify exposing our athletes and staff to these risks,” its statement said.
The Switzerland-based UCI said the championships were "set to bring together the world’s best riders in trials and BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland)." It promised to update “shortly on the sporting consequences of this announcement.”
Two male and two female athletes in BMX freestyle park were set to earn a place in the LA Summer Games lineup.
This image from video obtained and verified by AP shows thick black smoke and flames rising from a fire at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Credit: AP/Uncredited
In 2028, BMX freestyle park riders will compete at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the event was held in Place de la Concorde.
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