Tony Hawk Pushes for Vert Skate's Olympic Debut

Tony Hawk is spearheading efforts to introduce vertical skateboarding as an exhibition event at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. While acknowledging it won't be a medal sport this time, Hawk is optimistic that demonstrating the discipline's excitement to a global audience could lead to its inclusion in subsequent Games. He views vert skating, known for its aerial tricks and big spins, as a unique spectacle currently missing from the Olympic program.

Hawk has personally engaged with organizers, even offering his portable ramp, aiming to serve as a "vert ambassador" for the LA28 event. The skateboarding competitions are slated for Sepulveda Basin, a location with deep roots in skating history since the 1980s. Hawk's advocacy extends beyond the Olympics, as he also supports cancer awareness initiatives, drawing on personal family history.

His dual role as an Olympic advocate and a public health spokesman highlights Hawk's enduring influence across different spheres. The ongoing push for vert skating's Olympic recognition underscores a broader effort to expand the sport's presence on the world's biggest athletic stage, potentially inspiring future generations of skaters.