I know I’m a few weeks behind, but I recently saw a post on Skate Daily that linked to a news story on skateboarding getting bumped as an exhibition sport at the 2012 Olympics in London.
I’m sure a huge portion of the skate community is behind this news, as everyone’s favorite anti-sport was granted another four-year reprieve and can stay true to its underground roots. I get that argument.
But I think it’s outdated.
Skateboarding’s become too commodified to stay out of the spotlight for much longer. Anytime you see this much money being generated by a “hobby,” “pasttime,” “activity” or what have you, then it will grab the attention of those who govern large-scale sporting events, such as the Olympics.
So my solution? Well, since street skating is way too advanced for the average “viewer” (sorry to use that term) to understand, and half-pipe skating is … uh, half-pipe skating, I’d hope organizers would consider bowlriding as an option. Think about: it takes place in a controlled environment, it’s more creative than half-pipe skating, you can work in some street-type moves into your line (mannies on the platform, etc.), and – perhaps most importantly – it would keep that guy in the photo above from capturing the first-ever Olympic gold medal in skateboarding.
Not that I have anything against the red-headed action sports wunderkind. I don’t. Truly. He seems like a nice guy. I’d just much rather have Dan Drehobl, Chet Childress, Rick McCrank or someone like that find their way into the history books.
I mean, the idea of Luda-Crooks standing on an Olympic platform with a medal in one hand a beer-can in the other? I think we could all get behind that.
