Why are Olympic skateboarders so young?

Why are skateboarders at the Olympics so young? You can certainly be forgiven for asking that question.

Team GB’s very own Sky Brown had only just turned 13 when she won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and became Britain’s youngest ever medallist.

Even now – as she prepares to represent the nation again in Paris on August 6 – she’s still only 16 years old, as is teammate Lola Tambling.

The gold medal in the women’s street finals on Sunday was won by 14-year-old Coco Yoshizawa from Japan.

Silver and bronze were picked up by 15-year-old Liz Akama from Japan and Brazil’s Rayssa Leal, 16, respectively, in a final where the average age of the eight competitors was just 15.8 years.

There are of course older skaters, including Britain’s Andy Macdonald, who will be 51 by the time he takes to the park next week and becomes the country’s oldest Olympian.

But a vast majority of skateboarding athletes are teenagers, which can’t help but leave you wondering why that’s the case.

Why are Olympic skateboarders so young?

‘There’s no science behind why youngsters achieve such success in the sport,’ says Team GB on its official page.

‘Although it’s important to note that the likes of Team GB’s Andy Macdonald will turn 51 during Paris 2024.’

Team GB says: ‘The sport attracts young children and teens through its comradery in the skatepark and the enticement of getting a trick just right.

‘Add that to the fearless nature of Olympic skateboarders, teenagers seem to be dominating the sporting stage.’

And it’s that comradery and fearlessness that BBC commentator Ed Leigh believes contributes to why skateboarders are so young – as well as the fact their bodies are able to tolerate the brutal impact the sport has on them.

‘It’s terrifyingly physical and you have to understand how much commitment it takes,’ he told the i newspaper at Tokyo 2020.

‘Anyone who has stepped on a skateboard has fallen off, and there’s a good saying, it doesn’t matter how rich you are, you can’t buy a trick, you have to pay with pain.

‘That’s the only way around it. That’s something shared between all skateboarders. A camaraderie. You know to get that good you’ve overcome some big slams and stayed committed to it.

‘Action sports are based in skill acquisition. The younger you are, the bendier and softer you are when you try and get those skills, the quicker you can recover.

‘You have athletes by 21, 22, talking about recovery time, the fact is they can’t just keep skating.’

Team GB star Macdonald believes age is nothing but a number, however – and is proving it by the mere fact he’s in contention in the men’s park event on August 7.

He said: ‘Everyone asks about my age, it’s generally the mainstream media that is like “woah, you’re this crazy 51-year-old at the skate park”.

‘But I’ve been here, it’s not like I just showed up. I was already at the skate park when these kids showed up.

‘In what other sport do you see, at a competitive level, teenagers and 50-year-olds competing together? We all share this bond.

‘Skateboarding is literally my fountain of youth.’

When are Team GB skateboarding at the Paris Olympics?

The women’s street skateboarding finished on Sunday, while the men’s event will conclude today – there were no British athletes taking part in those competitions.

Sky Brown and Lola Tambling will be taking part in the women’s park skateboarding preliminary event at 11.30am on Tuesday, August 6.

If either of them qualify for the final, they will be in the hunt for a medal later that same day at 4.30pm.

Andy Macdonald will be competing in the men’s park skateboarding preliminary event on Wednesday, August 7 at 11.30am.

Similarly to his teammates, if he makes the final, he’ll be out on his board again trying to bring home a medal at 4.30pm the same day.

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