Kit McConnell, IOC Sports Director and Pierre Fratter-Bardy, IOC Associate Director, Olympic Games Strategy & Development, answer questions on the Olympic Qualifier Series at online media roundtable event. # The Olympic Qualifier Series will kick off in Shanghai (16-19 May), before making its way to Budapest (20-23 June), in a two-part festival-style series 150+ athletes will secure a spot for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 across four new, urban sports and disciplines on the Olympic programme. A new and innovative project from the IOC, the Olympic Qualifier Series is a significant milestone on the journey to Paris 2024 for many athletes, as it serves as the ultimate qualification stage in BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing. Each of the two Olympic Qualifier Series events will celebrate sport and culture, with music, fashion, and art to create a true festival experience. These events will pose the final opportunity for athletes to compete in this year’s Olympic Games, with over half of the qualification spots in these four sports coming directly from the series. In line with the Olympic Agenda goal of full gender parity and complementing the 50:50 gender balance on the field of play at Paris 2024, the sports in the Olympic Qualifier Series will also feature an equal number of male and female athletes.