Tony Hawk has played down the idea of dusting off his skateboard to compete at the Olympics at the age of 56. Hawk largely retired from professional competitions in 2003 but has been urged to go for Olympic gold in Paris, with skateboarding set to be included yet again.
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The sport made its debut in Tokyo and went down as a huge success with hardcore fans and casual viewers alike. Japan made use of their home advantage to win three of the four disciplines in park and street, prompting calls for Hawk to come out of retirement and skate for the USA.
Quizzed on whether he would consider taking part in either of the next two Olympics, with the 2028 edition set to be held in Los Angeles, Hawk reaffirmed that his skating days are firmly behind him.
Tony Hawk has been urged to come out of retirement and skate at the Olympics
Tony Hawk has played down the idea of dusting off his skateboard to compete at the Olympics at the age of 56. Hawk largely retired from professional competitions in 2003 but has been urged to go for Olympic gold in Paris, with skateboarding set to be included yet again.
The sport made its debut in Tokyo and went down as a huge success with hardcore fans and casual viewers alike. Japan made use of their home advantage to win three of the four disciplines in park and street, prompting calls for Hawk to come out of retirement and skate for the USA.
Quizzed on whether he would consider taking part in either of the next two Olympics, with the 2028 edition set to be held in Los Angeles, Hawk reaffirmed that his skating days are firmly behind him.
The legendary skater is not planning on representing his country any time soon
“I don’t think you want to see me competing when I’m 60,” he told People magazine. “That’s probably not going to bode well. But I’ll definitely be there as a fan.”
Skateboarding will return to the Olympic schedule in Paris with an increased number of competitors, with 22 athletes per event for the men’s and women’s street and park. Hawk is delighted that skateboarding has finally been added to the Games, applauding the move as one that is ‘great for the international growth and equality’ of the sport.
“People think that somehow the Olympics, I don’t know, sanitizes what we do,” he said. “But the competitions are run exactly like they have been for the last 30, 40 years.
