Skateboarding Finds Its Wheels in Paris Games But Hits Speed Bumps in the Olympic Village

The Paris Games have integrated skateboarding due to its youthful appeal, but skaters are restricted from using their boards in the Olympic village. This has frustrated athletes like Minna Stess and Nyjah Huston, who see the sport as a symbol of American culture and pride.

The Paris Games have fully embraced skateboarding, lured by its youthful appeal and impressive television ratings, but a surprising denouement awaits skaters: they are prohibited from riding their boards inside the Olympic village.

American women's park competitor Minna Stess was excited to cruise around the 52-hectare village, where 14,500 athletes and their support staff can mingle without COVID restrictions that marred the Tokyo Games. Her plans hit a snag, however.

"You get yelled at," lamented the 18-year-old Stess. Skateboarding's image has reinvented itself since its Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago, moving from the fringes to mainstream recognition, thanks to IOC's endorsement. Despite this acceptance, the Olympic village remains hostile territory for skateboarders, reminiscent of past decades' dismissiveness. "I saw U.S. street competitor Paige Heyn skated back to the village from practice and got yelled at," added Stess.

Despite these hurdles, the 18-year-old Stess is unfazed when it comes to competition. Fresh off a bronze at the World Championships, she aims to make her mark in Paris after narrowly missing Tokyo's qualification.

"Winning a medal for your country and yourself is a huge honor," she said. Her American teammate Nyjah Huston echoed this sentiment, highlighting skating on the Olympic stage as "extra motivation."

Huston, who competed in men's street and finished seventh in Tokyo, revealed he had skated in the last Olympic village without issues. "Skateboarding originated in America—California, specifically, where I'm from. We have a duty to go out there and rip," he proclaimed. "Rip it for the country."

(With inputs from agencies.)