Hannah Roberts Qualifies First in BMX Freestyle at Paris Olympics

Hannah Roberts, a five-time world champion from the U.S., topped the qualifying rounds in women's freestyle BMX at the Paris Olympics with a score of 91.45, while reigning gold medalist Charlotte Worthington of Britain failed to advance, finishing 11th. The competition is expected to be fierce, particularly from Chinese riders Deng Yawen and Sun Jiaqi, who scored 91.03 and 87.83 respectively, posing a potential challenge to Roberts. This event marks a pivotal moment for BMX, which made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, where Roberts took silver. Roberts has been motivated by her previous near-miss for gold and is seen as a heavy favorite heading into the finals. China's investment in the sport, highlighted by their focus on freestyle BMX as a means to enhance their Olympic medal count, reflects a strategic shift in their athletic program. Coach Daniel Dhers noted the significant progress made by the Chinese riders, indicating their potential to claim medals in Paris.