INTRO:
Skateboarding heads to the Olympics for the first time in 2020. Those in the sport say, as a consequence, it's being taken seriously for the first time. An increasing number of skateboarders are trying to turn their hobby into Olympic gold. Frances Read reports from Los Angeles.
IN: "Jordyn Barratt...
OUT: Los Angeles
DUR: 1,41"
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0926Skateboarding-fr-gen.mp3
VO1: Jordyn Barratt spends hours in skateparks like this one in Venice Beach California. She's only 18 but the training that she does, hours a day, could see her head to Tokyo in 2020... after skateboarding was approved as an Olympic sport for the first time.
"I was super excited when it became an Olympic sport it's been a dream to be an Olympian and it's pretty cool that a sport that I'm passionate about it going to be there and so I'm super stoked.
VO2: In California the International Skateboarding Federation says the sport is on the rise. The Olympics have given it a boost - both for participants and spectators. The International Olympic Committee didn't just approve skateboarding. New to Tokyo will also be karate, softball and baseball as well as surfing and sports climbing. That means investment in all those new sports as countries look to increase their chances at medal wins. Joe Ciaglia has built skateparks across the world. He says there's more demand to practice skateboarding at the highest levels.
"We've been involved in China for eight years and now because of the Olympics it seems like it's getting a bit more broad. It's been out there for a long time but more and more now these countries are understanding it's part of the lifestyle. Now that it's been embraced by the Olympics it's a great thing because families can say hey it's great my kids skating my kid has potential my kid can train to be an olympic athlete rather than just being on the street."
VO3: It means there will be some tough competition for skateboarding gold, silver and bronze when the Olympics head to Tokyo. But this is the first chance to medal at all. And for those spending hours in skateparks - the Olympic dream could now be a reality. Frances Read, Los Angeles.
Skateboarding heads to the Olympics for the first time in 2020. Those in the sport say, as a consequence, it's being taken seriously for the first time. An increasing number of skateboarders are trying to turn their hobby into Olympic gold. Frances Read reports from Los Angeles.
IN: "Jordyn Barratt...
OUT: Los Angeles
DUR: 1,41"
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0926Skateboarding-fr-gen.mp3
VO1: Jordyn Barratt spends hours in skateparks like this one in Venice Beach California. She's only 18 but the training that she does, hours a day, could see her head to Tokyo in 2020... after skateboarding was approved as an Olympic sport for the first time.
"I was super excited when it became an Olympic sport it's been a dream to be an Olympian and it's pretty cool that a sport that I'm passionate about it going to be there and so I'm super stoked.
VO2: In California the International Skateboarding Federation says the sport is on the rise. The Olympics have given it a boost - both for participants and spectators. The International Olympic Committee didn't just approve skateboarding. New to Tokyo will also be karate, softball and baseball as well as surfing and sports climbing. That means investment in all those new sports as countries look to increase their chances at medal wins. Joe Ciaglia has built skateparks across the world. He says there's more demand to practice skateboarding at the highest levels.
"We've been involved in China for eight years and now because of the Olympics it seems like it's getting a bit more broad. It's been out there for a long time but more and more now these countries are understanding it's part of the lifestyle. Now that it's been embraced by the Olympics it's a great thing because families can say hey it's great my kids skating my kid has potential my kid can train to be an olympic athlete rather than just being on the street."
VO3: It means there will be some tough competition for skateboarding gold, silver and bronze when the Olympics head to Tokyo. But this is the first chance to medal at all. And for those spending hours in skateparks - the Olympic dream could now be a reality. Frances Read, Los Angeles.