Skateboarding is experiencing its second Olympic appearance this year, evolving from a sport once viewed negatively for damaging public property to now awarding Olympic medals. A remarkable athlete born without legs recently set a new skateboarding world record, showcasing the sport’s inclusivity and innovation. Local skateboarders in Syracuse shared their excitement about the sport gaining the recognition they believe it deserves. Originating in California in the 1950s, skateboarding has evolved over the past seventy years to allow the world’s top skaters to compete for Olympic gold.
Skateboarder Arseniy Rutman, who began skating at age three, never imagined the sport would reach Olympic status, considering his father’s stories of being chased for skateboarding in prohibited spots. Longtime skater Justin Keskin, who runs free skateboarding lessons on weekends, expressed amazement at the sport’s transformation due to its Olympic recognition. Despite facing challenges such as police interference in the past, Keskin has seen a remarkable shift in societal acceptance of skateboarding, with the sport’s rapid growth.
As skateboarding gains prominence on the global stage, enthusiasts like Rutman and Keskin believe that the passion for the sport observed during the pandemic will resurface. Despite the temporary struggles of skateboarding businesses, there is optimism for the future as new skaters are anticipated to join the sport. Both Rutman and Keskin emphasize the positive impact of skateboarding’s Olympic presence in raising awareness and attracting new participants to the sport, hoping for further diversity and growth in the skateboarding community. For those interested in starting their skateboarding journey, Black Mamba Skate Park in Syracuse offers lessons for beginners.