The Ongoing Olympic Debate
August 25, 2008 – 11:05 pm PT by MikeTags: Beijing Olympics —
So if you haven’t read my thoughts on skateboarding in the Olympics, they I’ll regurgitate it for you. I picture America’s top skaters to take part. I would choose them based on their unique characteristics attributed to the team. And charisma would play a big part. For the captain, I would choose Terry Kennedy because he embodies hard work and persistence, plus he’s a skateboarding prodigy. His grill would have the American flag’s colors sprinkled in there somewhere. For pure skill, the Usain Bolt of the team, I fill that spot with Nyjah Houston. Plus he’s very marketable. And then for the veteran that’s been there done that, probably just add Rodney Mullen. He has international recognition based on his part in Gleaming The Cube. Their uniforms would include spandex overalls with color-coded pads.
Well who knows if that realistic dream of mine will ever come true but there has been a long and on going discussion on whether or not skateboarding should be included in the Olympics. With the debut of BMX racing in the Beijing games, organizers are highly optimistic about skateboarding’s chances to take part. Just look at how well BMX did. Not being biased or anything, but it was probably one of the more interesting sports for me to watch at the games. It’s an already highly organized with a governing body regulating the sport, BMX racing specifically.
But there probably lies the problem with skateboarding’s chances in ever getting involved. It’s probably one of the least organized “action sports” out there with a lack of rules. Skaters basically do whatever they want whenever they want. Seeing the Transworld Skateboarding Awards this year with bottles flying, grass smoked on stage, and an all out debauchery of an event, I predict Olympic officials continuously shaking their heads in regret just watching skateboarders walking around the tracks in an opening ceremony. Maybe I don’t give skaters enough credit for a lack civility but that’s why it’s fun to be a skater; you don’t have to live by any rules.
Check out this article written in the Wall Street Journal mapping out BMX’s struggle to get into the Olympics and why skateboarding will probably never be included. Let’s keep it that way.
