Extreme sports have often been viewed negatively by the general public, but that view appears to be changing, particularly with the arrival of some of these sports at the Olympics, including skateboarding and BMX.
The vast majority of players in these disciplines are more than satisfied with the arrival of their sports on the largest international sports scene presented in Tokyo.
“It really is a great opportunity to promote our sport, which is sometimes seen as a sport of ‘butts’ like skateboarding,” admitted Jeffrey Whaley, a BMX specialist who will be attending the Jackalope festival for the first time highlights multiple extremes of sport taking place over the weekend on the Esplanade of Montreal’s Olympic Park.
“These are street sports, urban sports that have a bad reputation. [On pense à] Teens hanging out at a skate park and not doing much. This made it possible to emphasize that it is not just a competitive sport, but a sport that is visually really interesting for everyone, whether dad, mom, grandparents, children. »
“It gives a better public image of skateboarding. Cities are therefore more interested in building skate parks, giving skate lessons and making the sport more accessible, added skateboard specialist Julien Gagnon, who in turn has attended every edition of the Jackalope since its inception. There’s also a better view of the sport because it’s a street sport that has been less accepted in society, so I think it’s good that it’s in the Olympics, it democratizes the sport.
Monitor these sports better
While the Olympics have boosted the image of extreme sports, the pandemic has enabled many young people to find a new passion.
Both Gagnon and Whaley have noticed an increase in the practice of their sport among young people in recent years. But in order to become a force in these disciplines, the two athletes believe that the young people have to be better looked after. However, there is hope.
“I think we’re lagging behind in Quebec and Canada in terms of team management and skate parks for training, other than that we’re working on putting together a Canadian program,” admitted Whaley, who mentioned being in talks with Cycling Canada about this new program . If we put the time and energy into it, it’s clear that there is a discipleship.
“With the opening of several sports centers in Quebec, we see the opening of Adrénaline Urbaine, a sports eco-center in Trois-Rivières, there is sure to be a future for skateboarding and other sports. Yes, there are a lot of people moving to other provinces, but more and more skate parks are developing in Quebec. In Montreal we have two or three projects just this summer.”