Natalya Diehm books a place for Paris with trademark determination in Hungary

Natalya Diehm is the first Australian cyclist to automatically qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, after a successful performance at the Olympic Qualifier Series in Hungary overnight.

Combined with a top-10 result at Shanghai, the Queenslander’s fifth place in Budapest means Diehm scrapes into the sixth and final position in the overall OQS standings, enough to automatically qualify for Paris.

Diehm will be officially selected to the Australian Olympic Team at the BMX Freestyle team announcement early next month.

The 26-year-old Queenslander qualified fifth out of the 12 riders that progressed through to the final on Friday, a performance that included the highest score of any qualifying run.

However, a strong performance was still required on Saturday to elevate her way up the overall standings and earn automatic qualification for the Games.

In near-perfect conditions, Diehm put together a powerful first run in the final that featured multiple tailwhips and a flair, and she held the landing on a tricky downwhip that may have brought less powerful riders unstuck.

Diehm looked elated with her run during cooldown, and the score of 90.86 was enough for third spot through her first round.

With the highest score from two runs counting as the rider’s final ranking, Diehm had the chance to go all out on her final run to improve her position, but a dropped flair meant her first score would be counted for her final ranking.

While Perris Benegas (USA) and Yawen Deng (CHN) bested their first runs and pushed Diehm down the standings, the fifth-place finish meant Diehm would take the sixth and final position in the overall OQS rankings.

Despite the elation of earning automatic qualifying for her second Olympic Games, Diehm was said she was disappointed on missing the opportunity to podium.

“I had a great first run, a little bit sketchy, but sitting in second position all the way until the last two or three riders I'm pretty sure,” she said.

“I got into my second run, and unfortunately, I came off on something that I do every day, which I'm a little bit disappointed in. I really thought I had my first podium ever, the first Australia women's podium ever.

“So, it's a bittersweet moment. I made the top six. I'm off to Paris, but I didn't get that podium.”

The Australian BMX Freestyle team will be announced on July 5. The BMX Freestyle Olympic competition will take place at Place de la Concorde over August 30-31.

OQS Final Standings

OQS Budapest Broadcast

Main Image: AusCycling