Was Olympic Skateboarding as Unimpressive as It Seemed?

https://slate.com/culture/2021/07/olympic-skateboarding-why-they-fall.html

by spunker540 • 5 years ago

2 2 5 years ago

PaulHoule• 5 years ago

It makes for awful television, somewhere between golf and watching paint dry.

45ure• 5 years ago

Compared with the superhuman feats of athleticism reliably completed in virtually every other Olympic event, the runs felt too attainable, almost amateur—not too far removed from what you’d see at any urban skate park.

I am not sure of the intent of this article. The Betteridge style headline and the above hook are equally dubious. It sounds like a hit piece based on showerthoughts+watercooler moments, with a dash of personal bias/preference of the author.

I liked the entire event, along with the other new editions -- one or more of which will be either dropped or replaced by the one favoured by the host nation, next time around (Paris '24). Some established disciplines have questions hanging over them, i.e. Weightlifting. It doesn't pay to criticise a relatively new event for the lack of gloss, particularly one which features younger athletes, and inspires a generation to peel themselves away from phones and gadgets.

As a self-confessed mouse potato, I marvel at the athleticism and sheer determination involved in all sports, and feel ultra inspired by them. Whether some sports have too much exposure through prestigious international fixtures e.g., Football, Tennis, and Golf or events which normally don't get coverage, or have personalities with a cult following, is irrelevant.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/sports/olympics/weight-li...

Was Olympic Skateboarding as Unimpressive as It Seemed?

Related Stories