A Collision of Showmanship and Sportsmanship: Keegan Palmer Wins His Second Skateboarding Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Keegan Palmer, skateboard in hand, waited for the crowd’s cheers to swell. The 21-year-old stood on tiptoes, and with a nod from Tom Schaar, the Australian launched into the park bowl, marking the start of his victory.
On a warm Wednesday afternoon in Paris, Palmer defended his Olympic Park title, achieving his lifelong dream. This win made him the second skateboarder to win consecutive Olympic titles, following Japan’s Horigomi Yuto, who won the men’s street skateboarding event the previous week.
Palmer clinched the championship with a score of 93.11, a mark no competitor could surpass. American Tom Schaar finished close behind with a score of 92.23.
Despite having the win secured, Palmer didn’t complete his third and final attempt. Halfway through, he abandoned it, choosing instead to soak in the moment. After reaching the top of the volcano, Palmer turned to the audience, accepted a standing ovation, bowed, and proudly raised his board and the Australian badge.
Throughout the afternoon, the skate park buzzed with spectacular performances. Augusto Akio, who won the bronze medal, entertained the crowd with juggling skills at every intersection, feeding off their energy. He finished his final run in 91.85 seconds and made it to the podium, balancing his board on his chin against the Olympic rings.
Pedro Barros also engaged the fans, asking for their cheers and seeking their permission to perform. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg, basketball star Devin Booker, and skateboarding legend Tony Hawk applauded enthusiastically as Barros bowed to them.
Despite the fierce competition, the athletes displayed true sportsmanship. When Barros’ final score fell 0.20 points behind Akio, the Brazilian trio hugged each other tightly, expressing their emotions.
“I grew up watching him skate,” Akio said of Barros, a Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist and his good friend. “He always conveyed unity, respect, and recognition. He has always embodied these principles.”
Tate Carew, who just missed the podium, was the first to celebrate with the medalists. The American skater then lifted Palmer on his shoulders, celebrating his victory.
“It was just like skateboarding in general,” said silver medalist Schaar, recalling the competition’s atmosphere. “We were all cheering for each other. I was yelling at Keegan in his last race. He’d already won, but I told him, ‘You better give them a show!’”
Palmer was grateful for the support behind his second win. “It was a very crazy feeling,” he said. “I was speechless and a bit repetitive in my answers, but it was crazy.”
Despite being a favorite in Paris, Palmer faced several setbacks in his title defense. Injuries had plagued his journey. He missed the 2023 World Championships in Rome due to knee injuries and had to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus in early 2024.
“I’ve had a lot of injuries in both knees,” he told Olympics.com after his triumph in Budapest in June. “I tore my meniscus and had a bone bruise and fracture in my left knee. A lot of problems.”
Despite these challenges, Palmer’s passion never waned. Rehabilitation, patience, and a desire to keep up with his friends helped him rediscover his form. Finally, he had the stage to showcase his talents once again.
“It feels great to be 100%,” Palmer said with the gold medal around his neck. “It’s a dream come true. I can’t believe it.”
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