For the first time in Olympic history, skateboarding will be a part of the Tokyo Summer games program.
The USA Skateboarding national team was selected in 2019, but the pandemic caused a year-long delay to the 2020 Olympics.
Twenty three eager skateboarders make up the 2021 USA Skateboarding national team.
According to USA Skateboarding, eight of the skateboarders are from San Diego, and that's creating excitement in the skateboarding community.
Hayden Acasio, an avid skateboarder in Oceanside, is excited to see the sport hit the big leagues.
“It's crazy, we’ve been wanting skateboarding Olympics probably since skateboarding has been a thing. So it's kind of insane for us to see it on the big screen. I think everyone’s going to be watching it. It's going to be sick,” he said.
Three of the competitors for the Women’s Skateboard Park division have ties to North County.
Liz Nguyen skates at Alex Road Skatepark in Oceanside and is excited to see some locals on the team.
“I think that's awesome, keeping it local is great, especially in North County, that's great,” said Nguyen.
Brighton Zeuner from Encinitas will turn 17 just in time to compete in the Olympics and is the youngest ever X Games competitor.
Bryce Wettstein is also from Encinitas and has been a part of the USA Skateboarding National Team since 2019.
Jordyn Barratt from Oceanside is also a professional surfer.
These North County skateboarders are well known throughout skateparks in North County.
“I’m just excited to be watching Bryce (Wettstein) on the TV, seeing her at the Olympics,” said Nguyen.
Acasio said North County skaters are excited to see some of their own make it to Tokyo.
“I got to meet them and stuff and they’re so sick and so nice. I’m hyped that they’re representing our state and our country,” he said.
Although the Tokyo games are taking place this year, they will still be referred to as the 2020 Olympics.
The opening ceremony will be on July 23. Skateboarding competitions will make their debut on July 25.
