There were a lot of surprising events BMX Freestyle Park Day 2 (Friday, June 21st) Budapest 2024 Olympic Qualification Series As two champions – OQS Shanghai Women’s winner Sun Simei Current Men’s Olympic Gold Medalist Logan Martin Both failed to advance to the finals in their respective events.
Sun of China and Martin of Australia both fell attempting big tricks on their first runs but came out stronger on their second runs, improving their average scores and securing a place in the top 12 in the final.
This puts them in a tricky position when it comes to securing spots from the OQS for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Sun came first and Martin second in Shanghai last month, earning 50 and 45 points respectively, but their 14th and 17th place results this time mean they are at risk of missing out on one of the six spots available for men and women from the OQS.
Sun’s Chinese teammates Sun Jiaqi and Deng Yawen reached the final in Budapest and finished second and third behind Sun in Shanghai, so something special would have to happen for one or both of them to not overtake Sun in the World Olympic Championship standings. And only two athletes can reserve spots per National Olympic Committee.
Meanwhile, Martin finished the OQS with 69 points and will nervously wait to see if he can finish in the top six in the world for Saturday’s final, but the reigning Olympic champion is confident he will qualify for Paris either way.
“We’ll see you in Paris. Continental places will be awarded based on your performances so far,” he told the Olympic Information Service. “The last 18 months have been good preparations. Unfortunately, this time just before the Olympics has not been the same. It’s never been good.”
“I’ve had two bad results (in my career) not making it to the finals, both in Budapest. It’s very disappointing. I’m going to change my flight tomorrow and leave early to go home and see my family. There’s no point in staying here. I’ll watch the games on my phone.”
