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skateboarding icon Tony Hawk Actively campaigning for vert skateboarding to be included as a demonstration sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics olympicsRevealing that he is making significant progress in his efforts.
Hawk, considered the greatest “vert” skater of all time, confirmed that he “has the worm in his ear at every turn, every event”, adding that organizers are “progressing to possibly get it as an exhibition game in LA28.”
The 57-year-old admitted it was too late for vert skating to become a medal sport in Los Angeles. However, he remains optimistic that a strong performance could pave the way for its inclusion in future Summer Games.
“If we show the Olympic audience what we do, there’s a good chance they’ll want it for the next Games,” he said.
Despite skateboarding’s presence at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Games, featuring park and street disciplines, vert skateboarding – known for its high-flying aerial tricks on the halfpipe – has been conspicuously absent. Hawke believes this represents a missed opportunity.
“I feel like it’s a missed opportunity for them because as exciting as park skating is, vert skateboarding is not as exciting,” he said. “It’s high flying, it’s big spin, and it’s the kind of thing people have become accustomed to seeing at the X Games.”
Hawk has also offered his portable ramp to organizers for potential use and is expected to serve as a “Vert Ambassador” for the Los Angeles Games.
in a skateboarding competition LA28 Designed for the Sepulveda Basin, the venue has been highlighted by Hawk for its historical significance within the skating culture of the 1980s.
In addition to his Olympic advocacy, Hawke has become a popular public figure, connecting with different generations.
He serves as a spokesperson for Cancer Guard and recently participated in a multi-cancer early-detection blood test. It was inspired by his father’s diagnosis of late stage lung cancer when Hawke was aged 20.
“I never thought I’d be an ambassador for anything, especially skateboarding,” he said.
“This sounds like a fun discovery and if I can raise awareness for this type of screening, that’s even better.”