Appearing at the Olympics for just a second time in 2024, even those most interested in Olympics betting will not necessarily be completely familiar with the sport.
The rules and regulations of skateboarding are not particularly complicated, but the very nature of the sport means there’s plenty to get your head around if you’re new to it.
It’s not going to garner the biggest live betting handles at the Games.
Skateboarding, particularly for the generation who grew up playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, has a specific appeal, however, and it could capture some new fans this summer.
History
The modern version of skateboarding likely originated in the 1940s or the first part of the 1950s. Crate scooters were the predecessor to the skateboard, but this was replaced by sidewalk surfing as surfers in California looked for a pastime when the ocean was flat.
There is no definite inventor of the skateboard. It seems different groups had similar ideas around the same time with interest in surfing increasing.
It didn’t take long for a competitive element to be introduced into the world of skateboarding. In the 1960s, the first exhibitions were held, with surfing manufacturers (who had begun to sell skateboards) putting together teams to promote their products.
After the initial surge of surfing interest, concerns about safety saw a drop-off in sales in the second half of the 1960s.
The hobby bounced back in a big way when new materials were used for the wheels in the 1970s. By the middle of the decade, boards had been made wider, and companies were beginning to create boards and axles specifically for skateboarding.
Skate parks were soon invented. Skateboarding as a spectator sport continued to grow, with trick competitions and races popping up around America. Vert skateboarding and street skateboarding began to develop unique skillsets and traits through the 1980s and 1990s.
Into the 21st century, interest in skateboarding from under-21s continued to soar. More were skateboarding than playing baseball by 2001. Skateboarding debuted at the Olympics in 2020.
Rules
Skateboarding is split into park and street for the Olympics. In park events, competitors have three rounds of 45 seconds to perform tricks through the course.
In the street events, they are limited to just two rounds of 45 seconds to perform tricks.
Both competitions contain preliminary rounds before a final. Difficulty, speed, and range of moves are all used to judge the efforts of the skaters in both the parks and street events.
Scoring
In the street competition, skaters will have their highest score from the two rounds counted. They then have five attempts to land a trick, with the best two attempts counted towards their total score.
In the park, it is a more straightforward endeavour. It is simply about recording the most tricks as possible over their two runs.
According to World Skate, repetition, flow and consistency, use of the course, quality of execution, and difficulty and variety of tricks performed are the five foundational criteria for judges.
Scores are awarded between 0-100 for each run. The best two tricks will be given a score of 0-100, too, meaning that there is a total score somewhere between zero and 300.
There is obviously a degree of subjectivity when judging skateboarding, which can lead to some controversy.
Course Size & Dimensions
The size of a skateboarding course varies significantly. The skateboarding events at Paris 2024 will be hosted at La Concorde, which has a capacity of 4,800 spectators.
Organisers have transformed this squad into the French capital to make it the location for the park and street events. BMX freestyle, breakdancing, and three-on-three basketball will also take place at La Concorde.
Equipment
Street skateboards are generally between 28 and 33 inches in length. Full-size skateboards are eight to nine inches wide. Wheels on a skateboard have a diameter between 50 and 75 millimetres.
While the board is obviously a crucial component, and needs to be well-suited to the competitor, you will also see skateboarders wearing plenty of protective equipment. Helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads are important to protect against falls.
Most Successful Countries at the Olympics
Skateboarding was competed for the first time at an Olympics in 2021. Japan were the most successful country with five medals. Great Britain and Australia won a medal apiece, with Brazil and the United States claiming three and two, respectively.
Japan also took five of the six medals in the 2023 World Skateboarding Championships. The USA had three medals in the park, but Japan claimed the gold and silver in the women’s park skateboarding event ahead of American Minna Stress.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
