2020 Olympics is almost upon us!
Skateboarding has joined the ranks of highly esteemed and grueling sports such as Badminton, Trampoline, Synchronized Swimming, Rhythmic Gymnastics, and.... Racewalking.
In case you missed it, the sarcasm was laid on pretty thick there....
In September 2015, skateboarding was included in a shortlist along with baseball, softball, karate, surfing, and sport climbing to be considered for inclusion in the 2020 Summer Olympics; and in June 2016, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that they would support the proposal to include all of the shortlisted sports in the 2020 Games. Finally, on August 3, 2016, all five sports (counting baseball and softball together as one sport) were approved for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic program. (States Wikipedia)
Now, I know most people might look at this as good thing for skateboarding in general, but not every skater might have that same opinion.
There are some of us who might not appreciate the global inoculation of skateboard culture. When Thrasher shirts become trendy, skateboarders might lose their identity in the crowd. We lose the ability to spot a brother or sister in the streets if everyone is wearing the same uniform.
This might sound trivial to most people. and it might be... Becoming a skateboarder was the first group I felt comfortable identifying with, it was a group of people who had the same goals as I did, and I could recognize them by the clothes they wore, and the marks on their shoes... I fear we might be losing that in the trending timeline.
Let me be clear, I think the commercialization of skateboarding could have its benefits. Lower costs, higher availability for products, more companies willing to get involved in the industry which in turn will bring more money into the sport... I get it.
It will most likely be a good thing for all of us. So if you support skateboarding going public, no hard feelings. Just try and help keep the skate culture alive. Teach the youth the respect and history of skateboarding, support your local skate shop,(Like Orbit Skate!!) and help keep iconic brands alive. Do your part and we will all get though this.
words by Keith Halterman
