Sky Brown - inspiring story of a female skateboarding champion

[ThinkIveFoundYourMarbles]

This caught my eye in the news. It's a great story about a very talented and motivated young girl. She could be an interesting role model for girls?

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/olympics/51098569

Whilst it is great for girls to have a sporting role model I have a real problem with her competing at the top level at 11.
So many other sports have had to introduce lower age limits for Olympic participation, to protect young girls from injury and exploitation.
It feels like a huge leap backwards.

I think Lael the ultra cycler is inspiring too.

Very interesting. I like hearing about young people like this. I teach reading to ks3 pupils and use articles like this as material.

jay55 - You could be right although I'll reserve judgement as I know nothing about the skateboarding world specifically.

One more for you:

anna-hursey.com/

I think it’s good. There are hardly any girls skateboarding - and no real reason why they shouldn’t physically. Practically though (I have skating boys) the places to practice require confidence to walk in and sometimes aren’t in nicest places - something that works against the attraction for girls. Having read Invisible Women about the design of parks and sports facilities without thought for women this is a clear Eason there are less girls. The actual guys skating and the general atmosphere of skating seems really quite collaborative and supportive. There’s no sense of taunting or divisive team culture as in some male dominated sports. If you’re skating you have to be 100% aware fo those around you and moderate your movement to allow each other to pass or use ramps. I’m just an observer though so will be watching the olympics with interest

Well Tokyo 2020 is the first time skateboarding is being included at Olympic level so I guess that's why she's competing. In time when there is a wider submission of athletes I suspect the age limits will come in.

I think it's great that she's there now, along with the other girls. She's barely british though! 🤔

She will likely be one of the future role models who has a story to tell about her role in females skateboarding at the olympics.