The second and final stop of the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) concluded this weekend in Budapest with more than 150 athletes clinching their Paris Olympics berths in BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing. Over 450 athletes from more than 120 national federations competed in the popular urban sports to crowds of young spectators in the four-day, festival-style event.

Thomas Bach emphasised the importance of urban sports for the future of the Olympics as he kicked off the second stop of the Olympic Qualifying Series yesterday in Budapest. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president has been impressed with the inaugural series of the OQS so far, with the Olympic trials which determine which athletes will compete in the Paris 2024 attracting thousands of spectators to watch over 450 athletes from more than 120 National Federations compete in breaking, BMX freestyle, skateboarding and sport climbing in a festival-like event fusing sport, art, music and culture in a festival atmosphere.

The second and final stop of the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) begins this Thursday in Budapest with over 460 athletes competing to qualify for a spot in the Paris Olympics. The OQS is the International Olympic Committee’s new multi-sport festival-style series to determine which athletes will go on to represent their respective countries in BMX freestyle, breaking, climbing and skate. Its inaugural four-day event in Shanghai was attended by 45,000 spectators, including the IOC’s president, Thomas Bach, who praised the event’s organisers. 

Former kindergarten teacher Ayumi Fukushima will likely represent Japan in the debuting breaking discipline at the Paris Summer Games after winning the pre-qualifier in Shanghai this past weekend. One last dance in Hungary might seal the deal, and dream, of a lifetime.