Skateboarding at the Summer Olympics

Lore & Background

In September 2015, skateboarding was included in a shortlist along with baseball, softball, karate, surfing, and sport climbing for potential inclusion in the 2020 Summer Olympics. In June 2016, the IOC Executive Board supported the proposal to include all shortlisted sports. On August 3, 2016, all five sports (counting baseball and softball together) were approved for the 2020 Olympic program. A major obstacle to inclusion was the high risk of serious injuries, including death, which made the IOC hesitant to assume liability. Additionally, the skateboarding sub-culture resisted the Olympics as too 'mainstream,' leading to a lack of heavy campaigning by skateboarding organizations.

Reader's Guide

Skateboarding's inclusion in the Olympics marks a significant shift for a sport long associated with counterculture. Despite initial resistance from within the skateboarding community and concerns over injury liability, the sport was approved for the 2020 Games alongside other action sports. Its presence at the Olympics has elevated its global profile, with Japan dominating the medal count, winning five gold medals and nine total medals across the first two editions. The sport will transition from a discretionary to a mandatory event starting in 2028, ensuring its continued place in the Olympic program. This legacy reflects both the sport's growing mainstream acceptance and the ongoing tension between its subcultural roots and institutional recognition.

Did You Know?

• Skateboarding was first selected as a discretionary sport for the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics.
• Skateboarding will become a mandatory sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics.
• Japan has won the most gold medals (5) and most total medals (8) in Olympic skateboarding.
• A major obstacle to Olympic inclusion was the risk of huge injuries, including death, and the IOC's liability concerns.