Mumbai, India, October 13, 2023: Shanghai and Budapest have been selected as hosts for the Olympic Qualifier Series, a new series of festival-style events combining sports with culture. This decision was taken on Thursday, October 12, by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee.
The two-part series, taking place in the period leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, will be an important step in determining which athletes qualify in BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing for Paris 2024.
The Olympic Qualifier Series will represent a significant milestone in the athletes’ journey towards Paris 2024, serving as the ultimate qualification stage for the four sports with at least half of the quota spots being allocated and a total of 464 athletes set to compete.
The Shanghai stop on the series will be held at the Huangpu Riverside from May 16-19, 2024, while the Budapest event will take place at the Ludovika Campus from June 20-23, 2024. The series’ conclusion in Budapest will coincide with Olympic Day, the annual celebration of the Olympic Movement, held every June 23, which next year also marks the end of the athletes’ qualification period for Paris 2024.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The Olympic Qualifier Series offers an exhilarating pathway for athletes to qualify for Paris 2024. They will be able to showcase their skills in vibrant major city locations in front of passionate crowds. Shanghai and Budapest perfectly align with the concept of the Olympic Qualifier Series, serving as the ideal backdrop for an exciting new chapter in the Olympic Movement.”
President Bach added: “This series represents a key milestone in enhancing and promoting the road to the Olympic Games. By bringing together the best athletes from these four sports in iconic urban environments, we aim to give them more visibility and highlight their remarkable achievements on the road to Paris.”
Xie Dong, Vice Mayor of Shanghai said: “We are thrilled to host the Olympic Qualifier Series in Shanghai in 2024. It is a remarkable opportunity for our city, known for its rich sports history and talents, growing industry and strong sports atmosphere, as it strives to build itself into a world-renowned sports city.
“The event will be held on the banks of our beloved Huangpu River, adding to the beauty of the surrounding scenery as it comes alive with the energy of the most talented athletes. This top-tier event, celebrated for its youthful and urban atmosphere, will undoubtedly ignite the passion of Chinese youth for BMX, breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing,” Vice Mayor Xie added.
Source: IOC