BUDAPEST, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Six Chinese athletes, including four sport climbers and two BMX cyclists, pass through the Olympic Qualifier Series here on Saturday and won their spots for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
In women's Boulder & Lead semifinal round, Luo Zhilu finished fourth and entered the final round scheduled on Sunday, bagging an Olympic Games spot after taking the 7th place at the event in Shanghai.
"It is great that I have overcome many difficulties and qualified for the Olympics," Luo told Xinhua.
"It will be my first Olympic Games. I will enjoy it and show my best on that stage," Luo added.
Although Pan Yufei failed to reach the final round of men's Boulder & Lead event, taking the 13th place in overall standings, he still qualified for Paris 2024.
According to the rules, the best 12 Boulder & Lead players of the Olympic Qualifier Series can get their tickets of Paris 2024. However, three climbers of France stood among the best 12 in overall standings, while every National Olympic Committee can only have a maximum of two players in Olympic Games, so Pan obtained his quota in Paris.
China's Wu Peng beat Amir Maimuratov of Kazakhstan to win the men's speed climbing title, advancing to Paris 2024. Zhou Yafei, the Series winner in Shanghai, qualified for Paris after pocketing a silver on the women's side in Budapest.
In the women's BMX freestyle event, Chinese cyclists Sun Jiaqi and Deng Yawen finished third and fourth respectively. The duo who reached the podium in the series' Shanghai leg all qualified. Chinese BMX freestyle athletes will have their Olympic Games debut in Paris.
World Champion Hannah Roberts of the United States won the first place with 93.48 points in Budapest, and her compatriot Perris Benegas finished second, trailing by 1.56 points.
In the men's BMX freestyle park event, French Anthony Jeanjean crowned, followed by American Marcus Chrisopher and reigning world champion Darren David Kieran Reilly of Britain.
Breaking kicked off with pre-selection in the afternoon and pre-qualifiers in the evening, as China's Qi Xiangyu, Shang Xiaoyu and Zeng Yingying advanced to the last 16, keeping their hopes of competing in Paris alive.
All the Olympic Qualifier Series will conclude here on Sunday. ■
