CHELLES, France (AP) — Skateboarding is one of four debut sports at the Tokyo Games, along with karate, surfing and sport climbing. Skating officials hope the high-adrenaline sport will wow and hook a new generation of Olympic fans and viewers. The spectacle of skaters turning their boards into flying machines, soaring over obstacles, promises to deliver a rejuvenating injection of youthful energy to the dowdy sporting extravaganza. The youngest competitors, Japan’s Kokona Hiraki and Britain’s Sky Brown, are just 12. For skaters, the Olympic spotlight means more visibility and possibly better prospects for earning a living from riding and sponsorships. Skaters also hope the Olympic seal of approval will generate more funding for skate parks.
