A BMX cycling qualifying event in Saudi Arabia for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has been called off due to deadly missile attacks from neighboring Yemen. The Urban Cycling World Championships, scheduled for November 3-7 in Riyadh, have been cancelled following recent bombings at the city’s airport by the Houthi rebel group.
The International Cycling Union made the decision after evaluating the regional situation and its impact on organizing the championships. The Australian cycling federation withdrew its team earlier on Friday, citing security concerns and the volatile military actions in the country, including in Riyadh.
The UCI, headquartered in Switzerland, highlighted that the championships were supposed to feature top riders in trials and BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland) disciplines. The organization pledged to provide updates soon regarding the implications of the cancellation on the sporting aspect.
The event was crucial for BMX freestyle park riders to secure spots in the 2028 LA Summer Games, where they would compete at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, the competition took place at Place de la Concorde.