By: Sara Loft

Did you know games existed as long ago as the B.C. time? Before social media existed, participating in a game was a form of human interaction. Games have brought a sense of humanitarian efforts as well as a great exercise for both the mind and body. Well, summertime is here! So, let the games begin!

Take the Olympics as a prime example. Still to this day, the legacy of the Olympics carries the unifying tradition of bringing together a diverse set of athletes and spectators from all around the world. Athletes have climbed to the top of their field for the opportunity to compete for recognition or status in this worldwide event.

Historically certain games and their rules became antiquated and some games were extremely challenging for some athletes which led to tragedies and sometimes their death. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for adopting a code of ethics for the Olympic Games. This code outlines principles and rules that guide the behavior of various stakeholders.

Did you know that skateboarding made its debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Ariake Urban Sports Park in Tokyo, Japan? Yes, skateboarding! In the mid-twentieth century, skateboarding was formed in California. The International Olympics Committee approved skateboarding as a competitive sport for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games which will be held at the La Concorde in Paris, France. According to Olympics.com, both men and women will be participating in the skateboarding competition that will be split into two categories set at the street and park. The schedule is currently set for everyone to watch on July 27-28, 2024 as well as August 6-7, 2024, unless dated otherwise.

Also, you’re in luck, Western New York! Within our beautiful region, there are local businesses that support the love of the game of skateboarding. Whether you are a beginner or not, I recommend you ride with safety in mind because skateboarding can be a dangerous game to play. Supervision is crucial for the game. Professional boarders even have undergone injuries. One cool spot to visit would be the Food Court Skate Park (inside the McKinley Mall), where they offer lessons for all ages to learn how to ride their boards. For your skateboarding needs, you could go to Moms Skateshop or Phatman Boardshop. There are various skate parks across the Western New York region. For the outdoor environment, we have a handful of places to ride on such as Alix Rice Peace Park (located in Northtown Center at Amherst), LaSalle Skate Park (located in Ralph Wilson Park), Lancaster Skatepark (located in Keysa Park), Orchard Park Skate Park (located in Yates Park), Hyde Park at Niagara Falls, New York, and RailYard Skate Park at Lockport, New York.

So... grease those wheels, tweak that truck right, bust out that deck, wear the gear, bring a friend, and enjoy the wonderful skateboarding season!