A BMX cycling qualifying event scheduled for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in Saudi Arabia was called off on Friday due to lethal missile attacks originating from neighboring Yemen. The Urban Cycling World Championships, planned to take place from November 3 to 7 in Riyadh, had to be canceled as the city’s airport had been targeted by the Houthi rebel group in recent days.
The International Cycling Union, in a statement, stated that the decision to cancel the event was made after evaluating the current situation in the region and its impact on the logistical arrangements for the championships. The Australian cycling federation withdrew its team earlier on Friday, citing concerns over the unstable security environment marked by military actions and retaliatory strikes across the nation, including in Riyadh.
In response to the circumstances, AusCycling expressed that it could not justify putting its athletes and staff at risk. The UCI, headquartered in Switzerland, had organized the championships to showcase the finest riders in trials and BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland) disciplines. The organization assured that updates regarding the implications of the cancellation would be provided shortly.
The event was expected to determine two male and two female athletes who would secure spots in the BMX freestyle park competition at the LA Summer Games, scheduled to be held at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area in 2028. The 2024 Paris Olympics had featured the BMX freestyle park event at the Place de la Concorde.