I dabbled with a skateboard like most kids growing up, but I was always in awe of guys who had the perfect balance and skill to pull off crazy tricks. I always had a deep respect for the sport, so it has been amazing to witness its inclusion in the last two Olympics.

The Olympics have brought skateboarding to a much wider audience, helping to legitimize it as a serious sport. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a staggering 17 million Americans tuned in to watch Olympic skateboarding on TV. The actual audience was even larger, as more than half of the sport’s loyal Gen Z and Millennial fans watched on internet platforms other than traditional television. This visibility has helped dispel misconceptions and has solidified skateboarding’s place as a mainstream media juggernaut with worldwide appeal the brands have followed and not just the traditional sponsors like Red Bull, Monster and Mountain Dew but global brands like Nike, Samsung, Visa, Tag Heuer and many more.

The Olympic Games solidified a more structured competitive environment for skateboard competitions with specific judging criteria and time limits that differ from traditional skateboarding contests. This more uniform scoring method and more formally structured contest model has opened the door for National Sports Organizations to develop facilities and infrastructure necessary for Olympic-level training and competition. More importantly, it has made it easier for a global audience and casual fans to understand.

Skateboarding’s Tokyo post-Olympics incarnation has caught the attention of businesses and big commercial brands who have thrown their financial might behind skaters and the sport. According to Billy Tuchscher, CEO of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame, this increased funding is driving the development of skateboarding facilities worldwide, from Bolivia to Uganda, and from Paris to Tokyo. One example is the Skateboarding Hall of Fame itself, which is investing over $25 million in a new facility designed to house the world’s best skatepark.

Skateboarding has more than 85 million participants worldwide, and it is widely reported that skateboarding is the 6th most popular sport globally. According to a report titled, “Global Skateboard Market Overview, 2023-28,” the skateboarding market was valued at USD 4.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 5.32%. Skateboarding is inclusive and welcoming to skaters of all ages, and nationalities.

Tuchscher says, “There are no differences between skaters, if you are rad, you’re rad. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman, tall or small, if you’re expressing yourself you are good in the skate community,” he adds. “The Olympics have showcased the diversity of the sport to the world, further broadening the sport’s appeal and participation.”

The inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympics has brought many positive changes in terms of recognition and support for the sport. However, it has also sparked debates within the skateboarding community about maintaining the sport’s core values and culture as it grows on the global stage. However, there is room for both.

According to the iconic pro skater and Hall of Fame Inductee Christian Hosoi. “The rebellious nature of skateboarding is not going anywhere. It’s ingrained in the culture and celebrated by all who enjoy the sport, including the Olympians,” says Hosoi, adding, “The Olympics have brought a lot of recognition, and a lot of commercial financial support for skateboarding at all levels. The challenge will be to preserve the essence of skateboarding while embracing its new opportunities.”

Billy Tuchscher also explains, “The challenge will be to preserve the essence of skateboarding’s nonconformist-punk-rock culture while embracing its new opportunities.”

As skateboarding continues to grow, it will undoubtedly inspire future generations to push the boundaries of what’s possible. The Olympics have brought recognition and financial support for skateboarding at all levels, but the rebellious nature of the sport is not going anywhere. It’s ingrained in the culture and celebrated by all who enjoy the sport, including the Olympians.

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2024 Paris Olympic Games Schedule
-July 27 to August 7
Team USA Key Dates and Times for Skateboarding Events
● Men’s Street: Nyjah Huston, Jagger Eaton, Chris Joslin
○ Preliminary Round: Saturday, July 27, 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET
○ Final: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET
● Women’s Street: Paige Heyn, Mariah Duran, Poe Pinson
○ Preliminary Round: Sunday, July 28, 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET
○ Final: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET
● Women’s Park: Minna Stess, Bryce Wettstein, Ruby Lilley
○ Preliminary Round: Tuesday, August 6, 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM ET
○ Final: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET
● Men’s Park: Gavin Bottger, Tate Carew, Tom Schaar
○ Preliminary Round: Wednesday, August 7, 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM ET
○ Final: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET

How to Watch: The skateboarding events will be broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. Additionally, all events can be streamed live on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com. Full event replays will be available on NBCOlympics.com.

Here is a full list of skateboarders by country participating in the Olympics:

Countries with Skateboarders Qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
1. United States of America (USA) – 12 skaters
2. Brazil (BRA) – 12 skaters
3. Japan (JPN) – 10 skaters
4. Australia (AUS) – 8 skaters
5. France (FRA) – 6 skaters
6. Spain (ESP) – 5 skaters
7. Canada (CAN) – 4 skaters
8. China (CHN) – 3 skaters
9. South Africa (RSA) – 3 skaters
10. Great Britain (GBR) – 2 skaters
11. Argentina (ARG) – 2 skaters
12. Colombia (COL) – 2 skaters
13. Netherlands (NED) – 2 skaters
14. Portugal (POR) – 1 skater
15. Germany (GER) – 1 skater
16. Slovakia (SVK) – 1 skater
17. Morocco (MAR) – 1 skater
18. Finland (FIN) – 1 skater
19. Thailand (THA) – 1 skater
20. Italy (ITA) – 1 skater
21. Denmark (DEN) – 1 skater