Skateboarding often favors the young. When the sport made its Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2020, the gold medalists were aged between 13 and 22. An 11-year-old, Zheng Haohao of China, is set to compete in Paris this summer. Among these youthful competitors, one name stands out: Andy Macdonald. At 50, Andy is defying age norms in the skateboarding world. Representing Britain, he will be 51 by the time he competes, becoming the oldest skateboarder at the Games.
The Journey To Qualify
Andy’s path to the Olympics was far from easy. Qualifying for Britain’s team alongside teenagers Skyy Brown and Lola Tambling—both younger than his eldest child—Andy had to perform the best run of his life at the Budapest qualifier. Despite falling on his first two runs, he managed to score 11 points higher than ever before on his third and final attempt, narrowly securing his place in the Games.
Reflecting on his qualification, Andy said, “I thought I could make the British team. That was the part I was optimistic about. But beyond that, I knew that qualifying for the Olympic Games would be a long shot.”
Skating Through The Ages
Skateboarding at 50 presents unique challenges. Andy notes that falling hurts more, and healing takes longer. However, he finds motivation in skating with younger athletes. “I get their youth, their exuberance, and their resilience through osmosis,” he said. He recently became the oldest person to successfully complete a 720 spin during a demonstration with professional skateboarder Tony Hawk.
Throughout his career, Andy has faced numerous injuries, including a broken ankle and kneecap, along with overuse injuries from years of skateboarding. But despite these setbacks, he continues to push the limits, driven by his passion for the sport.
Relating To The Next Generation
Andy’s experience and knowledge make him a mentor to the younger skaters. “I was at the park before they were born. Chances are, I taught them where to put their feet,” he shared. He enjoys sharing the history and evolution of skateboarding with his teenage teammates and competitors.
Since Andy started skateboarding at age 12, the sport has advanced significantly, especially in terms of skill levels among younger skaters. He credits this growth to improved facilities and public access to skateboarding areas. “Now, where there’s cement, there’s skateboarding,” he said.
Anticipation And Looking Ahead
The park event in skateboarding is judged based on the overall impression, which includes the use of the course, difficulty of tricks, and amplitude. Andy’s performance in Budapest showcased his ability to adapt and innovate, earning extra points for improvisation during his run.
With eight X Games gold medals to his name, qualifying for the Olympics is a significant milestone for Andy. “Just making it is kind of the medal for me,” he admitted. As for future Olympic aspirations, he remains open but focused on the present challenge in Paris.
References:
Andy Macdonald
The New York Times: The 50-Year-Old Skateboarder Bound for the Paris Olympics
Skateboard GB: National Team
Olympics.com: Skateboarding at Paris 2024
