Tony Hawk on skateboarding's "global phenomenon;" Simone Biles golden again

The Olympics.com podcast from Paris 2024 features hosts Nick McCarville and Eleanor Lee discussing their experiences and the vibrant atmosphere of the games. Highlighting a key interview with skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, they delve into the impact of the Olympics on skateboarding, the impressive performances by Japanese athletes, and the inspiring journey of 50-year-old skater Andy McDonald. The podcast also celebrates the US women's gymnastics team's gold medal win, led by Simone Biles, emphasizing her remarkable comeback. The episode captures the excitement, diverse stories, and global spirit of the Olympic Games.

• Working on the Olympics team is a unique and engaging experience.
• The setting of the studio near the Eiffel Tower adds to the charm.
• The busy schedules of the team members often mean they don't see each other frequently.

"I'm Nick McArville. I'm sitting alongside my Olympics.com colleague Eleanor Lee, and I found you in your home away from home, your Olympic home, the Olympics.com studio."

• Describes the setting and the nature of their work environment.

"We're very much ships passing. I get a glimpse of you for a few seconds. I'm like, Nick, tell me where you've been, what have you been doing?"

• Highlights the busy and often disconnected nature of their schedules.

• Nick shares his experiences attending different Olympic events.
• Eleanor also shares her experience of visiting the beach volleyball venue.

"I went to the beach volleyball the other night. Last night, I went to the Grand Palais, which was built in 1900. It's got these sweeping naves. It's almost this, like, cavernous, palatial feel."

• Nick describes his visit to the Grand Palais and the unique atmosphere of the venue.

"Yesterday, I actually managed to get down to the beach volleyball. I just wanted to. I'd seen everyone's pictures online, and I was like, hold on. I can't go this games without going down and seeing that venue."

• Eleanor shares her experience visiting the beach volleyball venue, emphasizing its impressive setting.

• The atmosphere at the beach volleyball venue is described as lively and party-like.
• Music, food, and drinks contribute to the festive environment.

"We had music, we had food, we had drinks."

• Eleanor highlights the vibrant and festive atmosphere at the beach volleyball venue.

• The street competition for skateboarding has already concluded, with Japan dominating the event.
• The park competition is yet to take place.

"For the street had the finals for both men and women, and Japan cleaned up. So Japan took gold."

• Eleanor provides an overview of the results of the street skateboarding competition.

"In the women's, it was Yoshizawa Coco. She's only 14 years of age, and she took that gold medal. It's just insane."

• Highlights Yoshizawa Coco's achievement at a young age.

"Japan again for the men's Yuto Horigomi. He's 25, and he retained the gold from Tokyo."

• Mentions Yuto Horigomi's success in retaining his gold medal.

"Then Japan again took silver in the women's Liz Akama. She's only 15. That's her first Olympic medal."

• Liz Akama's achievement at a young age is noted.

"In the men's street as well. We had Jagger Eaton and Niger Houston, both Team USA. Jagger took Silva, Niger took bronze."

• Team USA's success in the men's street competition is highlighted.

• Tony Hawk's interview will discuss the impact of skateboarding on the Olympics and vice versa.
• Tony Hawk's enthusiasm and insights into the sport's integration into the Olympics are anticipated.

"He seems to be so happy to be here, but also really taking it in in terms of how the Olympics have impacted skateboarding, but also how skateboarding have impacted the games."

• Nick hints at the content of the upcoming interview with Tony Hawk, emphasizing the mutual impact between skateboarding and the Olympics.

• Tony Hawk expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to skate at the park.
• Despite his legendary status, he felt privileged and beamed with gratitude.
• Tony Hawk's humility and appreciation for the opportunity were highlighted.

"I was hit by how proud and how grateful he was to have been given this opportunity."

• Tony Hawk felt privileged despite his status.

"But still, he was so. He felt so privileged to have been able to, given that opportunity to skate the park."

• Emphasizes Tony Hawk's humility and sense of privilege.

• Andy McDonald, a close friend of Tony Hawk, is competing in the men's park event.
• At 50 years old, he's the oldest skater in the competition.
• Tony Hawk expressed pride in Andy's journey and athleticism.

"He's 50, so that makes him the oldest skater in the park competition next week."

• Highlights Andy McDonald's age and significance in the competition.

"Tony was super excited to cheer him on. He was really, really proud of his friend."

• Tony Hawk's pride and excitement for his friend's participation.

• The Paris Olympics provided a redemptive experience for skaters after Tokyo.
• The level of skating has significantly risen since Tokyo.
• The unpredictability and excitement of the event were emphasized.

"I think that this was a full redemption from Tokyo and to finally have a crowd there, and even the level of skating has risen so much since Tokyo."

• Redemption and improved level of skating since Tokyo.

"If nothing else, that's the kind of excitement you're expecting at the Olympics."

• Highlights the excitement and unpredictability of the event.

• Tony Hawk skated at the park course and found it much bigger than anticipated.
• He felt lucky to have access and approval to skate there.
• Reflects on the growth and recognition of skateboarding as an Olympic sport.

"It's fun. It's much bigger than I anticipated. A little more vert style, what I'm used to."

• Describes the park course and his experience skating there.

"I can't believe that for how long had I been skating to see it come this far and to see it finally as an Olympic sport and in a place like Paris at the Place de Concorde, like, it's just unreal."

• Expresses disbelief and amazement at the growth of skateboarding.

• Tony Hawk feels validated for sticking with skateboarding through its challenges.
• Encouraged by the support and resources available to the younger generation.
• Reflects on the past challenges and current global acceptance of skateboarding.

"It's validation for sticking with it for. And it's also just really encouraging to see that the younger generation has this kind of support and these kind of resources and are embraced like this."

• Validation and encouragement for the growth of skateboarding.

"When we were kids, most of our parents didn't want us skating. It was very hard to find anywhere to do it."

• Reflects on past challenges and lack of support for skateboarding.

• Japan's full embrace of skateboarding led to its dominance in the sport.
• Support and resources contributed to the success of Japanese skaters.
• Unique styles and talents of Japanese skaters were highlighted.

"Japan was fully embracing of skateboarding and trying to give as much opportunity as they can to the skaters there."

• Japan's support and embrace of skateboarding.

"They each have a really unique style. So that's what's interesting to me is that usually when you see people coming from the same area, there's sort of a similarity in their styles."

• Highlights the unique styles of Japanese skaters.

• Tony Hawk was excited for skater Chloe Cavell despite her not placing.
• Admired her persistence and attempt at difficult tricks.
• Expressed excitement for other skaters and events, particularly in the park discipline.

"I love that she kept going for one of the hardest tricks we would have seen all day yesterday."

• Admiration for Chloe Cavell's persistence and skill.

"To have Tom Schar and Tate Carroux representing us and birdhouse, I mean, that's. That's my event. That's the one I'll be there cheering the loudest for."

• Excitement for specific skaters and the park discipline event.

• Progression has been a significant theme leading up to Paris 2024.
• The difficulty level required for qualification has increased since Tokyo.
• Reflects the rapid advancement and competitiveness in skateboarding.

"What would have qualified you for men's park in Tokyo wouldn't even have got you into the top 44 for here in Paris."

• Highlights the increased difficulty level and progression in skateboarding.

• Skateboarders push each other to new heights:
  • Skateboarders continually challenge themselves and each other, leading to the evolution of tricks.
  • Tricks that were once seen as impossible are now becoming standard in competitions.
  • The park setting, though smaller and more limiting than vert skating, has seen significant advancements in trick difficulty.

"When they see that someone has risen, the bar, in terms of this, is a transfer that's possible. Now, this trick is actually possible in a park setting, because the park setting is smaller than what we consider vert skating."

• Historical evolution of skateboarding tricks:
  • Skateboarding has seen a consistent rise in the difficulty of tricks and techniques over the years.
  • The inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympics has further accelerated this progression.

"Even when it wasn't in the Olympics, even when it wasn't on television, it continued to keep rising in terms of difficulty of tricks and techniques, and even younger skaters."

• Andy McDonald's discipline and perseverance:
  • Andy McDonald exemplifies how discipline can lead to success in skateboarding.
  • Despite his age, McDonald continues to perform difficult tricks and has adapted his skills from vert to park settings.
  • His journey to the Olympics showcases his passion and perseverance.

"Andy is a prime example of how much discipline can pay off. I mean, he is a super talented skater. He can do all of these really difficult tricks, especially on vert. He's got most of the hardest tricks locked in."

• Challenges and achievements:
  • McDonald's journey to the Olympics was challenging, but his determination and consistent practice have paid off.
  • His story is a testament to the dedication required to excel in skateboarding.

"He has been trying to get in the Olympics since Tokyo, and he got squeezed out of Tokyo, and he went right back in, even, you know, in his fifties. It just speaks to his passion and his perseverance."

• Welcoming nature of skateboarding:
  • Skateboarding is inclusive, with people of all ages, genders, and skill levels participating and supporting each other.
  • The sport's diversity and community spirit are unique.

"If you look at the diversity of skating, the inclusivity of skating, and how much it's growing, how there's skate parks everywhere... there are people of all ages, all genders, all skill levels, all cheering each other on."

• Skateboarding's unique community:
  • Unlike other sports, skateboarding fosters a supportive environment where everyone is welcome, regardless of skill level.

"There's no other sport that you can say, go to the field and see that happening. So I feel like it's unique in that sense and doesn't matter how good you are at it, you're in."

• Continuous self-improvement:
  • Skateboarders should focus on pushing their personal limits and not rest on their past achievements.
  • Embracing challenges and stepping out of comfort zones are crucial for progress.

"My words of advice to anyone that is trying to make the games or to keep being a relevant skater through the next four years is to keep pushing yourself. That's it. Don't compare yourself to others. Don't rest on your accolades."

• Anticipation for future Olympic games:
  • The upcoming LA 2028 games will feature new setups and courses, potentially including vert skating, which will bring new excitement and challenges.

"It's gonna be a different setup. It's gonna be a different chorus. I'm hoping that vert is actually added to the games, and if we see Vert, that's gonna open up an entirely new level of excitement. I guarantee it."

• Increased visibility and development:
  • The inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympics has brought more attention to the sport, helping it grow.
  • The success of athletes in Tokyo has inspired new generations of skaters, particularly in countries like Japan and the US.

"Tokyo really gave the Japanese athletes a push. We've seen that now because two Japanese athletes, they've just taken gold."

• Future prospects for skateboarding:
  • With the upcoming LA 2028 games, there is a growing interest and development in skateboarding, particularly in the US.

"We've got LA 28 coming up around the corner. We're seeing loads of skaters come through in Team USA, and obviously we had Jagger Eaton take silver, Nigel Houston take bronze."

These notes encapsulate the key ideas and themes discussed in the transcript, providing a comprehensive overview of the evolution, athleticism, inclusivity, and future prospects of skateboarding, as well as advice for aspiring Olympic skateboarders.

• Historic Achievements in Men's Skateboarding Finals:

  • The recent finals were described as one of the greatest in men's skateboarding history.

  • The excitement and energy were palpable, with high praise for the participants and the event overall.

  "Yesterday was arguably one of the greatest street finals in men's skateboarding history, and I am just grateful to be a part of it."

  • The speaker emphasizes the significance and excitement of the event, highlighting its historical importance.

• First Two-Time Medalist for Team USA:

  • The achievement of becoming the first two-time medalist for Team USA in skateboarding is a testament to the dedication and appreciation for the Olympic Games.

  • The importance of skateboarding being inducted into the Olympics in 2019 is noted.

  "Being a two-time medalist has been something that I really want to do when it was inducted in 2019, when skateboarding was inducted into the Olympics, and hopefully be three-time."

  • The quote illustrates the athlete's long-term goal and the significance of skateboarding's inclusion in the Olympics.

• Personal Reflections on Winning Bronze:

  • The experience of sharing the podium and representing the country was described as an honor.

  • Despite aiming for gold, the athlete expresses pride in their performance and acknowledges the high level of competition.

  "It's honestly just an honor to be there sharing the podium with those guys, to be out there representing my country."

  • This quote reflects the athlete's pride and the honor of competing at such a high level.

  "Those tricks that Jagger and Yuto landed on the last goes that was out of this world. So really just gotta be proud of myself."

  • The athlete acknowledges the exceptional performance of competitors and expresses personal pride.

• Future Aspirations for LA 2028:

  • The athlete expresses a strong desire to continue competing and aims to participate in the LA 2028 Olympics.

  • The motivation to stay in top form and keep the body healthy is emphasized.

  "I would love to be out there competing for another 510 years or as long as I can, but yeah, it would be awesome to make it there to LA."

  • The athlete's commitment to longevity in the sport and motivation to compete in future Olympics is highlighted.

• Simone Biles' Redemption and Mental Health:

  • Simone Biles' journey of redemption and focus on mental health since Tokyo is highlighted.

  • The importance of her therapy session on the day of the competition is noted.

  "She's put so much effort into changing her mindset, putting her mental health forward front and center."

  • The quote underscores the significance of mental health in Biles' preparation and performance.

  "She actually told us that she spoke with her therapist this morning and that she was feeling calm and ready to go."

  • This illustrates the direct impact of mental health support on Biles' readiness and performance.

• Electric Atmosphere and Support:

  • The atmosphere in the arena was described as electric, with notable figures present to support Biles.

  • The presence of her family and friends provided a significant boost.

  "We saw Serena Williams, we saw Michael Phelps. We saw Nadia Komanich. We saw so many luminaries there to watch Simone."

  • The presence of sports luminaries highlights the importance and support for Biles.

  "Her husband is in the crowd. Her, both of her parents are there. And like you said, all the stars."

  • The quote emphasizes the personal support system that contributed to Biles' performance.

• Team USA's Victory and Performance:

  • The US women's gymnastics team reclaimed the team gold medal, with standout performances from multiple athletes.

  • The historic achievements of the Italian and Brazilian teams are also noted.

  "SUNY Lee, Jordan Childs, Jade Cary, they were all amazing as well."

  • This highlights the collective excellence of the US team members.

  "Rebecca led her squad to their first ever Olympic medal in the team competition."

  • The quote underscores the historic achievement for the Brazilian team led by Rebecca Andrade.

• Summary of the Event and Achievements:

  • The podcast concludes with a summary of the key events and achievements discussed.

  • The significance of the performances and the excitement of the Olympic Games are reiterated.

  "Simone Biles is an Olympic champion again."

  • This concise statement encapsulates the triumphant return and success of Simone Biles.

  "Thanks again to Eleanor Lee for joining me earlier in the pod, taking us inside the world of skateboarding and also that chat with Tony Hawk."

  • The quote acknowledges the contributions of guests and the insights provided into the world of skateboarding.