Round 2. BMX Freestyle Park at the Olympic Games.

Jul 24, 2024

Written by Bart de Jong

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The past three years have flown by, and it feels like just yesterday that Charlotte Worthington (GBR) and Logan Martin (AUS) clinched the inaugural gold medals in BMX Freestyle Park at the Tokyo Olympics. Now, as Paris 2024 approaches, an additional three riders per gender will compete, bringing the total to 24 riders showcasing their skills at Place de la Concorde on July 30-31, 2024. This venue will also host Skateboarding (street and park), 3x3 Basketball, and Breaking, creating a vibrant urban atmosphere. The newer Olympic sports are set to draw young audiences, and the high demand for tickets reflects this growing interest.

The qualification process for BMX Freestyle has evolved since its debut, becoming more intricate. Ultimately, after six quota places were awarded to the top six finishers of the Olympic Qualifier Series

(OQS), the remaining spots were allocated based on results from the 2022 and 2023 UCI Urban World Championships held in Abu Dhabi and Glasgow with ensured representation from all five continents, along with host nation France. As a result, countries like South Africa, Argentina, Canada, and Latvia qualified in the Men's category, while Colombia, Germany, and Chile secured spots for the Women’s competition.

The 2024 OQS series, held in China and Hungary, identified six strong contenders for the podium in Paris. Riders who performed well at these events are expected to challenge for top positions. Anthony Jeanjean (FRA), Kieran Reilly (GBR), Marcus Christopher (USA), Gustavo Batista de Oliveira (BRA), Justin Dowell (USA), and Marin Rantes (CRO) earned direct qualifications for the Men's Park competition. Jeanjean, with his recent victories, is a strong favorite for gold, especially on home soil.

However, he faces stiff competition from 11 other top riders, including the reigning gold medalist Logan Martin. The Australian is known for his consistent performances and impressive tricks. The first round of qualifications will narrow the field from 12 to 9 riders on July 30, with the final taking place on the afternoon of July 31. Kieran Reilly aims for a podium finish with his daring tricks, while Marcus Christopher plans to incorporate high-speed to maximize his scoring potential. The specialized training at Team USA’s secret facility in Utah could be a game-changer for Christopher.

The BMX Park at La Concorde offers a variety of ramps and lines, catering to each rider's strengths. This will be the second Olympic appearance for Hannah Roberts (USA), Charlotte Worthington (GBR), Nikita Ducarroz (SUI), Perris Benegas (USA), Natalya Diehm (AUS), and Macarena Perez Grasset (CHI). The Chinese team, which wasn’t present three years ago, has quickly risen to prominence with Jiaqi Sun, Yawen Deng, and Sibei Sun qualifying for Paris. However, due to a maximum of two riders per nation, Sibei Sun will not compete. Other notable competitors include Kim Lea Müller (GER), Queensaray Villegas Serna (COL), Iveta Miculycova (CZE), and 2024 UCI World Cup Montpellier winner Laury Perez (FRA).

Four practice sessions are scheduled before the qualification phase on July 30, giving riders ample time to get accustomed to the course. Once the grandstands fill up, it will be showtime. The athletes will be performing not only for themselves but also for their families, fans, and supporters. Will Logan Martin and Charlotte Worthington defend their titles and win gold again? Will Anthony Jeanjean become a French hero? Will a Chinese rider make it to the Women's Park podium? History will be made in Paris, and the excitement is palpable. Don’t miss any of the thrilling action.