Due to recent deadly missile attacks from Yemen, a BMX cycling qualifying event in Saudi Arabia for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has been called off. The Urban Cycling World Championships, scheduled for November 3-7 in Riyadh, had to be canceled due to security concerns arising from the Houthi rebel group’s bombings near the city’s airport.
The International Cycling Union announced the cancellation, stating that the decision was made after evaluating the regional situation and its impact on the logistical arrangements for the championships. The Australian cycling federation withdrew its team earlier on Friday, citing security advisories related to the escalating security risks in the country, particularly in Riyadh.
The UCI, headquartered in Switzerland, highlighted that the championships were expected to showcase the top riders in trials and BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland). They assured that updates on the implications of the cancellation would follow shortly.
The BMX freestyle park competition was supposed to determine two male and two female athletes who would secure spots in the 2028 LA Summer Games. The venue for the BMX freestyle park event in 2028 will be the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, contrasting with the 2024 Paris Olympics held at Place de la Concorde.
