SHANGHAI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) is more than a sport event, and it is about celebrating what these sports stand for and dispose their lifestyle, said an International Olympic Committee (IOC) official on Wednesday.
Pierre Fratter-Bardy, IOC Olympic Games Strategy & Development Associate Director, told a press conference one day prior to the start of the OQS in Shanghai: "It's about sport, music, art, and fashion."
Running from May 16 to 19 in Shanghai and Budapest from June 20 to 23, the inaugural OQS will host 464 athletes in BMX freestyle cycling, breaking, skateboarding, and sport climbing, with over 150 quota places up for grabs at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
"Shanghai is a worldwide sports hub with tremendous experience in hosting major events. Formula One, tennis and many international federations and world championships," Fratter-Bardy noted. "We had full confidence in Shanghai from day one to be able to deliver such a new event."
"When we initiated the conversation with Shanghai, we quickly noticed that there was a very strong vision, which is in line with the vision of the IOC to bring support to the people," he added.
"We started working in collaboration to develop the value proposition. The value proposition was extremely strong with an incredible venue and an exceptional concept for the festival."
Prior to and during the OQS, sports initiation activities will also be held at the Huangpu Riverside Skateboard Park to promote the four sports among young people, along with mini competitions as warm-ups.
"The capacity of the urban park is 15,000. We expect the park to be full every day and buzzing. The beauty of this concept is that with one ticket, you can spend the entire day," Fratter-Bardy introduced.
"When you talk to the athletes, federations, and stakeholders in these sports, they are all telling us we are more than a sport. We are a lifestyle. What defines us is not only what happens on the field of play, but the way we dress, the music we listen to and so on." ■
