This year’s Tokyo Olympics is the first time skateboarding is being added to the slate of summer sports. The U.S. has pioneered competitive skateboarding since the ’70s.
Skateboarding is split into two competitions: Park and street. (There is no vert competition on a halfpipe at the Olympics)
Park is designed to represent a skate park atmosphere. It’s a blend of street elements and vert, using concrete bowls and humps to provide air time for skaters. It requires athletes to be well-rounded, having skills to street skate.
The second is street, which is designed to emulate urban environments. While competition will take place in a custom-built course, it will be much closer to the feeling of skating on a street. Rather than bowls and lips, skaters will use ramps, rails and stairs to score points during runs.
Check out who makes up Team USA’s Park and Street teams.
