It's a controversial subject but signs are pointing to skateboarding in the 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan. Skateboarding as an Olympic sport is a natural progression and it's something that should be celebrated in and out of the skating community.
The Olympics have been considering skateboarding for some time, especially in light of a 2014 Huffington Post article that stated that the average Olympic viewer was only getting older. "The median age of the Olympic viewer increased from 50.9 in 2006 to 55.1 this year, despite the addition of snowboard and halfpipe events designed to appeal to young people,” explains author David Bauder. At IASC’s recent 2015 summit, Research Director Thomas Barker pointed out that 70% of all skateboarders were below the age of 25.
The announcement, if it comes to pass, shoud be announced soon and leaves little time to organize an International Federation to oversee the event. There are at least three competing organizations, each vying for the official designation of “International Federation.”: The World Skateboarding Federation (WSF), the Federation International de Roller Sports (FIRS), and the International Skateboarding Federation (ISF).
No matter what, it's an exciting development! What do you think about skakeboarding at the Olympics?
