( MENAFN - IANS) Shanghai, May 19 (IANS) At the end of four action-packed days of world-class competition in an electric atmosphere, created by 45.000 spectators, the first stop of the inaugural Olympic Qualifier Series concluded here on Sunday. The event held at Shanghai Huangpu Riverside brought together 460 athletes in BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding, and sport climbing.
They represented 120 national federations across the four sports and were enthusiastically celebrated by their fans, who enjoyed a unique Olympic experience that merged sport with music, art and culture. IOC President Thomas Bach, who attended the finals in all four sports, praised the efforts of the Shanghai Local Organising Committee: “Shanghai has given the Olympic Qualifier Series a fantastic start. I can only thank and congratulate Shanghai and the Chinese Olympic Committee on this electrifying event.
It went far beyond our expectations. Shanghai has demonstrated once again its reputation as a city of innovation, also about global sports events.” He went on:“I heard from the athletes how much they enjoyed this unique competition.
They had stars in their eyes. You can see here in these young and modern sports a real community. And this is what the Olympic values and the Olympic spirit are about – having this tough competition, but also being friends and respecting each other.
” All the winners of the Shanghai stop were awarded a trophy that was specific to this stop. Given the top three.
