Paris 2024 Olympic Games: last chances of qualification for the French in climbing, skateboarding and BMX, the pressure is immense for the 500 athletes competing

Le Montpelliérain Anthony Jeanjean est favori de sa compétition BMX. MAXPPP – ALEX PLAVEVSKI

In Budapest, last chance to qualify for the Blues in climbing and urban sports, starting Thursday. Despite the pressure, the Tricolores have confidence.
 

Last stop before Paris! Many French climbers, breakers and riders will try from Thursday to obtain one of the last tickets for the Olympic Games this summer during the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) in Budapest.

A unique competition in Olympic history, around 500 athletes from 120 countries are preparing to compete for more than 155 quotas in one place: an urban park built on the Ludovika university campus, in the heart of the Hungarian capital.

"The stakes for all athletes here are decisive. It's about making their dreams of becoming an Olympian come true: it's their last chance for Paris", Pierre Fratter-Bardy explained at a press conference on Wednesday , executive of the International Olympic Committee.

10 000 spectators expected each day

The organizers expect up to 10,000 people per day in the public to support the numerous competitors in climbing (speed and combined bouldering-difficulty), skateboarding (street and park), BMX Freestyle and breaking.

After elimination phases on Thursday and Friday, all the final phases will take place this weekend. The athletes will then be ranked according to their results during this event and the 1st stage of the OQS organized in Shanghai in mid-May.

The French climbers have the wind at their backs

The French camp is playing big in Budapest to bring as many representatives as possible to Paris and increase its chances of a medal this summer. And the great performance of the young French climbers in China allows them to hope for a solid success.

Les Bleus Paul Jenft, Sam Allezou and Mejdi Schalck, all under 25 years old, finished in the top 10 during the first OQS in combined bouldering and difficulty. They are therefore in a favorable position to glean the quotas offered to the first twelve in the ranking.

Among the girls, Zélia Allezou, currently 8th overall, is also well placed to join the prodigy Oriane Bertone, already qualified in bouldering thanks to her victory during the European qualifying tournament last October.

In BMX, we are waiting for Jeanjean from Montpellier

In BMX freestyle, Montpellier's Anthony Jeanjean, 1st thanks to his victory in China, should be able to validate his ticket without being too worried.

Just like the Lyonnais Aurélien Giraud, 2023 world champion, in street skateboarding and favorite in Paris. "It’is a nice taste of what is going to happen at the Games. I intend to get my quota and show that I am part of the top 6 in the world", explained Anthony Jeanjean, referring to this deadline "capital before Paris".

The pressure will be on on the banks of the Danube, as the level is very high in all four sports represented. Among the participants, 81 are former Olympians and 18 of them have already won medals in Tokyo.

18 former Olympic medalists seeking qualification

The participants include defending champions Logan Martin and Charlotte Worthington (BMX Freestyle), Horigome Yuto and Nishiya Momiji (skateboarding) and climbing stars Adam Ondra (bouldering and difficulty) and Leonardo Veddriq (speed). “The best athletes in these sports have come from all over the world to participate. “It's a unique experience in Olympic history,” said Fratter-Bardy, adding that the Shanghai leg had been a “real success,” particularly among young people.