A qualifying event for BMX cycling at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in Saudi Arabia was called off due to deadly missile attacks from Yemen. The Urban Cycling World Championships, scheduled for November 3-7 in Riyadh, were affected by 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 situation and its impact on organizing the championships.
The Australian cycling federation withdrew its team on the same day, citing security concerns and the volatile military activities in Riyadh and other parts of the country. The federation expressed that it could not risk the safety of its athletes and staff in such circumstances.
The UCI, headquartered in Switzerland, highlighted that the championships were intended to showcase top riders in trials and BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland) disciplines. It assured that updates on the sporting implications of the cancellation would be provided soon.
The canceled event was a significant opportunity for male and female athletes in BMX freestyle park to secure spots in the LA Summer Games. The competition venue for BMX freestyle park riders in 2028 is planned to be at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, while the 2024 Paris Olympics hosted the event at Place de la Concorde.