A BMX cycling qualifying event scheduled for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in Saudi Arabia has been called off due to missile attacks from Yemen. The Urban Cycling World Championships, originally planned for November 3-7 in Riyadh, were canceled following recent bombings at the city’s airport by the Houthi rebel group.
The International Cycling Union stated that the decision was made after evaluating the regional developments and their impact on the logistical arrangements for the championships. The Australian cycling federation withdrew its team on Friday, citing concerns over the unstable security situation, including military actions and retaliatory strikes in Riyadh and other parts of the country.
The UCI, based in Switzerland, highlighted that the championships aimed to showcase the top riders in trials and BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland) disciplines. They assured updates on the implications of the cancellation shortly. The event was crucial for athletes vying for spots in the LA Summer Games, where two male and two female BMX freestyle park competitors were set to qualify. The 2028 BMX freestyle park competition will take place at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, while the 2024 Paris Olympics hosted the event at Place de la Concorde.
