Skateboarding thrashes, inspires during Paris Games

After a tempered pandemic debut in Tokyo, athletes and fans received the complete skateboarding experience during the Paris Olympics for the world to witness.

Located at Place de la Concorde, a 10-minute drive from the iconic Eiffel Tower, the urban park venue hosted 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle, and breaking, in addition to skateboard street and park disciplines. The men’s street skating was postponed by one day, after heavy rainfall continued after the opening ceremonies.

The champion returns to the streets

Japan’s Yuto Horigome looked to defend his gold medal performance from 2021 and was faced with a daunting proposition late in the final. With American’s Jagger Eaton and Nyjah Huston atop the leaderboard, he needed a 96.98 score to leapfrog them.

On his final trick attempt, Horigome landed a nollie 270 nose bluntslide. A devastatingly beautiful trick scoring him a 97.08 and earning back-to-back gold. Eaton took silver, (a 0.10 difference) and Huston received bronze. 

“I definitely did not doubt that he was going to land that much spin. If anyone is good in that moment and under that much pressure, it’s him,” Huston told NBCOlympics.com.

Huston is skateboarding's most decorated athlete. The only accolade he didn't have? An Olympic medal. After placing seventh at the Tokyo Games, he was eager to make it onto the podium in Paris. 

“The best part about all of it is that we’re all hyped for each other, we’re all homies, we’re all showing love, and that’s really what skateboarding’s all about.”

The women’s street competition was dominated by three teenagers claiming their spots on the podium. Yoshizawa Coco, a 14-year-old from Japan, took home gold. Liz Akama, a 15-year-old also from Japan, grabbed silver and 16-year-old Brazilian Rayssa Leal earned bronze. 

Australians rule pool

Keegan Palmer won back-to-back Olympic golds, surrounded by an electric atmosphere. The 21-year-old skateboarder from Australia’s Gold Coast scored a 93.11 in the final to secure his repeat. 

“Wild, crazy feeling dude!” Palmer told media after defending the Olympics park title. “To be able to say I’m a two-time Olympian, let alone two-time Olympic gold medalist, is a crazy, crazy feeling. I literally can’t believe it.” 

It was a tightly contested event, with American Tom Schaar (92.23) hot on his heels taking silver.

“Loved just being able to skate with my friends,” Schaar said. “That’s what we do back home and that’s what skateboarding is supposed to be about.” 

Brazil’s Augusto Akio won bronze with a score of 91.85 on his final run. 

Notable celebrities arrived at the park course to watch the action sport in person, including Tony Hawk, Snoop Dogg and USA men's basketball player Devin Booker.

The women’s park competition saw Australia’s Arisa Trew take gold after a thrilling final round. On her last of three runs she scored a 93.18 to lead the field. At 14 years and 88 days old, Trew became the youngest Australian to win an Olympic medal.

“When I realized I’d won, I was just like in so much shock and so excited and happy,” Trew said. 

How does the teenager plan to celebrate? With a new pet duck, promised by her parents.

15-year-old Cocona Hiraki from Japan (92.63) earned silver and 16-year-old Sky Brown of Great Britain (92.31) took home bronze.