A qualifying event for BMX cycling at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in Saudi Arabia has been called off due to missile attacks from neighboring Yemen. The Urban Cycling World Championships, scheduled for November 3-7 in Riyadh, were canceled following recent bombings at the city’s airport by the Houthi rebel group. The International Cycling Union made the decision after assessing the regional situation’s impact on organizing the championships.

The Australian cycling federation withdrew its team on Friday, citing security concerns due to ongoing military strikes and reprisal attacks in Riyadh and across the country. AusCycling stated that the unpredictable security environment posed risks for their athletes and staff, prompting the decision to pull out.

UCI, headquartered in Switzerland, highlighted that the championships were supposed to showcase top riders in trials and BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland). The organization mentioned plans to provide updates on the sporting implications of the event cancellation shortly.

The BMX freestyle park competition was set to determine two male and two female athletes who would secure spots in the 2028 LA Summer Games. In 2028, BMX freestyle park contests will take place at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, following the 2024 Paris Olympics event held at Place de la Concorde.