A BMX cycling qualifying event scheduled in Saudi Arabia for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has been called off following deadly missile strikes from Yemen. The Urban Cycling World Championships, originally planned to take place from November 3-7 in Riyadh, had to be canceled due to recent attacks on the city’s airport by the Houthi rebel group.
The International Cycling Union stated that the decision to cancel the events was made after evaluating the regional developments and their implications on the logistical arrangements for the championships. The Australian cycling federation withdrew its team earlier on Friday, citing concerns over the unstable security situation and ongoing military actions in Riyadh and other parts of the country.
The UCI, headquartered in Switzerland, highlighted that the championships were anticipated to gather elite riders in trials and BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland) disciplines. The organization assured to provide updates soon regarding the sporting repercussions of the event’s cancellation.
The BMX freestyle park competition was supposed to determine two male and two female athletes who would secure spots in the lineup for the LA Summer Games in 2028. The upcoming venue for BMX freestyle park riders at the 2028 Olympics will be the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, while the 2024 Paris Olympics hosted the event at Place de la Concorde.