In the light of recent events, we are here to continue hot topic of this summer and discuss many layers and levels of advanced openings for the Skateboarding, considering it was accordingly included in the official list of sporting events at the Olympics.
The first, who raised the gold medal of the Olympics in skating history were Japanese athletes. Yuto Horigome – in the male category, and respectively Nishiya Momiji – in the female category.
It is worth mentioning, that the debut of Skateboarding in the games immediately updated the age records. Momiji Nishiya, (Japan) won a gold medal during the Olympics in Tokyo, at the age – only 13 years and 330 days. Thus becoming the third in the list of the youngest champions in the Olympic Games history, and automatically the youngest winner in this sports category.
Tony Hawk:
“As a kid that was mostly lambasted for my interest in skateboarding. I never imagined it would be part of the Olympic Games. It’s surreal to now be in Tokyo bearing witness to this milestone in the most unprecedented circumstances. I know in the end it will help to grow skateboarding’s profile internationally, exposing our passion to an audience that has never seen it before or simply refused to embrace it.”
While many people dubbed this event and compared Tony Hawk, the legend of Skateboarding community, to a proud dad at, while witnessing and taking photos of skateboarding’s debut at the Olympics.
“A whole new generation will get to experience skateboarding with genuine public support and meaningful opportunity. I predict it will be one of the highlights from all the Olympic Games coverage this year. And I’m all for it.” continued Hawk in his Instagram post.
Of course, it’s obvious that for Skateboarding this is an outstanding pushing point for development and increasing interest in this sport, related to the mentioned events. largely due to the scale of the events that take place in connection with the Olympics.
Thus, we are seeing a picture, that immediately after the games have increased stocks of companies related to skateboarding, after the victory of the local athletes. The growth of the company’s shares was observed among sportswear and inventory dealers, and companies involved in the preparation and construction of skateboarding spots, according to Bloomberg. Although this spike is short-lived, this precedent could potentially have long-term effects.
Gradually, along the way, more and more parties are involved in the growth and extension of the community and, respectively, increasing reach and interest in the activity and also in its manifestations, both from potential new members of the community and those interested in the commercial component in this process.
World Skate (worldskate.org), the organization governing and defining rules and regulations for skateboarding under the authority of the IOC (International Olympic Committee), also recently added a rule that all continents must be represented. This means that at least one skater from Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Australia must be represented. This means that every Olympic Skateboarding Association in their country is trying to motivate more riders to participate. After all, Skateboarding will return to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where the history of Olympic skateboarding will continue.
Skateboarding’s inclusion into the Olympics has only deepened the debates and the controversy over this decision. And there is also the point of irony of skateboarding joining the most mainstream of sporting events, that hasn’t escaped the attention of athletes, who used to perform tricks, while jumping fences, or to skate abandoned swimming pools, having good time and simultaneously a chance to be chased or harassed by security guards or even police officers.
Ahead of the Games in Tokyo, one Texas skate shop unveiled its own derisive take, on a T-shirt reading, “Skateboarding is a crime, not an Olympic sport” – flipping the more familiar slogan, “Skateboarding is not a crime.”
Aurélien Giraud, French team member said:
Skateboarding belongs in the street. I hope that [the Games] will make more people want to do it, but at the same time, people shouldn’t start skateboarding to get to the Olympics. That’s not what skateboarding is at its core and it would be a shame to limit it to that.”
Jérémie Grynblat, Giraud’s manager, is convinced that Olympic skateboarding is worth a shot. He adds:
“But I completely understand those who are afraid that skateboarding will lose its soul.”
Mariah Duran, USA team member said:
“A lot of people were, and are still, against it, because they just consider it like not to be a sport or whatever the case may be. Skateboarding is for everybody, and … I have respect for whoever does it and for whatever level you take it to. I still feel like culture and skateboarding are still going to be the same, even if it’s going to be put on this platform.”
Many community members share the opinion that Olympics will bring skateboarders more than it takes away, and many sports these days stop being “boring” and may not require an incredible amount of effort and discipline, time, sweat and blood. Because in the case of skateboarding all you need to – is a piece of wood, a few small wheels and places that you will share with your like-minded people.
Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk said:
“They saw us as a family of misfits, but now the world will know us as Olympians.”
