I signed up for a TV subscription just to be able to watch Olympic events as they are happening rather than already-spoiled clips later on. I’ve enjoyed many of the big, highly-covered competitions. Simone Biles!
But I’ve had the most fun watching some of the action happening in sports that are a little more out on the edges of the limelight. Last Sunday, I managed to catch women’s street skateboarding. I was captivated, folks. Maybe because I dreamed of skateboarding as a teen, but never had a means of acquisition. Maybe because the young champions were so relatable to me. They were dressed for comfort and practicality. There was no focus on their hair or makeup. They were free to pursue the sport they love without the worry of losing points based on such non-athletic components, a path not always as open to women and girls as it should be.
Oh, and the amazing moves and courage. When they fell, it wasn’t onto padding. Watching someone jump and roll down a stair railing on a little wheeled board with no available handholds is a real edge-of-the-seat experience. These athletes were defying gravity. Equally thrilling was seeing a gold medal awarded to 14-year-old Coco Yoshizawa of Japan, knowing I was seeing someone at the beginning of what is sure to be an amazing athletic career.
Seriously, watch these women go!
https://youtu.be/hk3cIXWGnmc?si=k5KbeiwW9mIKNfIX
Big props to the Olympics for expanding inclusion and opportunity.
Nomadic Noesis 