Stellar Olympic performances spark craze for emerging sports(3)

New vibes

For Zheng Haohao, a Chinese women's park skateboarder who competed as the youngest athlete at the 2024 Paris Olympics at the age of 11, her first Olympic journey was simply an opportunity "to play and make more friends".

The presence of some of the world's top skateboard riders was not at all intimidating for her. "Compared to skating near my home, the Olympics didn't feel that different to me. It was just a bit more crowded," she said. She was not too nervous as "staying relaxed helps reduce mistakes".

Her relaxed attitude may have partly stemmed from the sport's roots in street culture.

The sport's vibrant vibe is especially evident in a street skateboard event where athletes wear loose T-shirts and pants as they perform their own distinct tricks and maneuvers on quarter pipes, handrails and various obstacles, all set to the lively backdrop of hip-hop music. When an athlete successfully completes a routine, the crowd erupts in cheers and applause, showing support regardless of the team they represent.

"Skateboarding is also one of the rare competitions without the 'smell of gunpowder'. There is a lot of uncertainty, mistakes are very common. The athletes seem more like they are here to show their own tricks rather than to compete for victory," said Yu Songwen, the mother of 10-year-old skateboarding enthusiast Guo Yu.

Initially, Yu wanted to cultivate an outdoor hobby for her son. The family's original choice was soccer, but the introverted boy did not adapt well to the intense physical contact required in the team sport.

In 2023, during a skateboarding charity class organized by the Shanghai Extreme Sports Association, Guo developed a liking for this sport, drawn by the cool quotient of the skateboarders and the relaxed atmosphere of the class.

"Skateboarding has tons of cool tricks to teach, and picking up new moves can make kids feel confident," said his mother.

"It's a solo sport where everyone has their own style, so there's no pushing or shoving. Training sessions are more about having fun together than worrying about scores or who's the best. Boys and girls of different ages play together, and just enjoy the chill, welcoming vibe."

Guo dedicated 10 hours a week to skateboarding and thanks to the inclusive environment, he gradually became more outgoing.

In August, when the X Games China 2024 Skateboarding returned for its U-pool tour final in Shanghai, Yu took Guo to watch the event. She was surprised to see the once shy boy confidently approaching the Brazilian skateboarder Iago Magalhaes and other world-class athletes to chat in English.

"The sport has opened a window for him to understand the world," said the mother.

"Despite being sweaty or bruised after riding the skateboard, whenever I ask him, 'Are you tired?' he always replies, 'Tired, but I still love skateboarding,'" the proud mother shared.

He Wei, father of BMX racer He Miyao, has also noticed his daughter's growth in the extreme sport. "She's become tougher and more determined. When she loses a race, she might cry at first, but after wiping away those tears, she's right back to giving it her all for the next one," he said.