Urban setting, fresh format, and skyscraper-high stakes: Athletes share what makes the Olympic Qualifier Series so special

Spins, turns and nerves: Last Paris 2024 quotas on the line at the Olympic Qualifier Series

There will be no holding back when it comes to the Olympic Qualifier Series. For the select athletes who have advanced to compete in Shanghai and Budapest, the two events represent the last chance to qualify for Paris 2024.

With the margin of error so slim, tensions are expected to run high, and even Olympic medallists are struggling to stay calm.

“I’ll be honest, I’m very, very nervous about the Olympic Qualifying Series. But at the same time, I’m super excited,” said USA’s Hannah Roberts, a BMX freestyle silver medallist at Tokyo 2020. “A lot of the other women that I’m competing against are going to bring some great things and I’ve always really enjoyed seeing everybody’s progression. Obviously, I need to do well. That’s why I’m so nervous.”

Whether headed to the skatepark on a bike like Roberts or a skateboard, Paris 2024 hopefuls across different OQS sports are feeling the nerves ahead of Shanghai.

“The next phase is going to be stressful for everybody and no one’s safe, which might make it a little more exciting,” Dutch skateboarder Keet Oldenbeuving told Olympics.com. “It is definitely a little scary. You don’t really know what’s going to happen.”

Japan’s B-Boy Issin can’t get his mind off the Olympic Qualifier Series.

“OQS is always in my head during practices. It’s good to be like that,” he said. “I work hard to feel like I’m improving every day, more than everyone else, and then I will give everything I got with explosive energy at OQS to obtain a quota for the Olympics.”

Sarah Nicki is also looking to bring her best to Shanghai and Budapest. The Australian teen will be among the BMX riders battling with Roberts for the final Olympic quotas. If she succeeds, Paris 2024 will mark an Olympic debut for the 17-year-old.

Feeling the full weight of that, Nicki is determined to keep cool under pressure.

“I’m feeling pretty good right now, not feeling too stressed about it, but I’m sure as I get close to the time, I’m going to be a little stressed out,” Nicki said. “There’s only a couple of girls that really have this opportunity and it feels incredible to be in the spot where I have even any chance of getting there.”

Swiss sport climber Petra Klingler is not leaving anything to chance in her quest to qualify for a second Olympic Games. Her preparation for the Olympic Qualifier Series is a rigorous routine that combines physical and mental work.

However, given the novelty of the OQS format, the sports veteran is also leaving room for the unexpected.