World Skate reflects on skateboarding’s contribution to Tokyo 2020 Olympics

August 15, 2021

World Skate President, Sabatino Aracu has thanked all those that made it possible to turn skateboarding’s Olympic dream into reality in the best possible way - even beyond expectations.

World Skate, founded in 1924 in Switzerland, works to unify the unique characteristics of skateboarding and roller sports, and to promote their global development. World Skate currently recognises 135 National Federations and is the IOC recognised governing body for skateboarding.

Data provided by the IOC shows that skateboarding attracted over 700,000 web and app users in two days while also generating a new interest from all age groups.

Aracu notes “since my election as President of this International Federation back in 2005, I have been convinced that our contribution to the Games would be overwhelming and unique, just like our world.

“The pathway has been intricate; we fell and got up several times, but in Tokyo we all experienced incredible emotions. Our Olympians showcased to the world a sport lived with the freshness and the purity that are distinctive of skateboarding.

“These Olympic Games have been different - needless to say. So much awaited and strongly wanted as never before. These have been the Olympic Games of change for several reasons: the Agenda 2020 and the new events in the Olympic Program, the challenge imposed by the pandemic and the ability and the power to recover after a difficult year. Sports turned out to be – once again – an instrument to awaken human consciences and to achieve social aggregation.”

Aracu highlights “Skateboarding represented an integral part of this change. Skaters showed their mutual support in every run and every trick irrespective of teams, gender and age. We experienced the purest example of the Olympic Spirit and of the true contribution that sports may give to the world: beyond medals, beyond scores, with the only wish to share one’s passion.”

Japan's Momiji Nishiya, 13, made history when she took home the first women's street skateboarding Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Standing next to her on the Olympic podium was Rayssa Leal from Brazil, also 13, who earned silver in the event. Japanese skater Funa Nakayama, 16, took bronze.

18-year-old Australian skateboarder, Keegan Palmer won Australia's first Olympic skateboarding gold medal in the men's Park competition at Ariake Urban Sports Park. Palmer rode high with two sensational performances in the finals to score gold, while Pedro Barros of Brazil picked up silver and USA's Cory Juneau received bronze.

Palmer led the pack after his first run where he scored a massive 94.04 which no one could surpass even after three rounds of the competition. However, it was his third and final run that ultimately delivered gold as his score of 95.83 was the one to beat.

Palmer advised “It’s an absolute honour to skate with my friends. I can’t believe I’m here in Tokyo for the Olympics, skating with so many of my best friends from when I was little. And now we’re all on the podium together.”

With Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games now behind us, the focus has shifted to Paris with Aracu commenting “for us, however, Paris – just like Tokyo – is only one of the legs in our journey: our goal is to allow people all over the world to share the passion and the light we witnessed in these Olympic days. And this is something for which we need to continue to work together.”

For more information on World Skate visit www.worldskate.org

Image top: 18-year-old Australian skateboarder, Keegan Palmer won Australia's first Olympic skateboarding gold medal in the men's Park competition at Ariake Urban Sports Park. Image courtesy of the Australian Olympic Committee; image above Japan's Momiji Nishiya, 13, made history when she took home the first women's street skateboarding Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Courtesy of World Skate

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