Nyjah Huston of Team USA competes at the Skateboarding Men’s Street Prelims on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
This year's Tokyo Olympics is the first time skateboarding is being added to the slate of summer sports. The U.S. has pioneered competitive skateboarding since the '70s.
Skateboarding is split into two competitions: Park and street. (There is no vert competition on a halfpipe at the Olympics)
Park is designed to represent a skate park atmosphere. It’s a blend of street elements and vert, using concrete bowls and humps to provide air time for skaters. It requires athletes to be well-rounded, having skills to street skate.
The second is street, which is designed to emulate urban environments. While competition will take place in a custom-built course, it will be much closer to the feeling of skating on a street. Rather than bowls and lips, skaters will use ramps, rails and stairs to score points during runs.
Check out who makes up Team USA's Park and Street teams.
Women's Street
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26: Mariah Duran of Team United States competes during the Women's Street Prelims Heat 1 on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Women's Street
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26: Alexis Sablone of Team United States holds up her skateboard while competing during the Women's Street Final on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Women's Street
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 21: Alana Smith of Team United States practices on the skateboard street course ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 21, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Skateboarding is one of new sports at 2021 Olympics Summer Games . (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Men's Street
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 25: Jagger Eaton of Team USA competes at the Skateboarding Men's Street Prelims on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Men's Street
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 25: Nyjah Huston of Team USA reacts at the Skateboarding Men's Street Prelims on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Men's Street
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 25: Jake Ilardi of Team USA competes at the Skateboarding Men's Street Prelims on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Women's Park
DES MOINES, IOWA - MAY 23: Jordyn Barratt competes during the Women's Park Final at the Dew Tour on May 23, 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Women's Park
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14: Bryce Wettstein during training for the Women's Park Semifinal during the 2019 Dew Tour on June 14, 2019 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Women's Park
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 22: Skateboarder Brighton Zeuner poses for a portrait during the Team USA Tokyo 2020 Olympic shoot on November 22, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Harry How/Getty Images
Men's Park
DES MOINES, IOWA - MAY 22: Cory Juneau competes in the Men's Park Semi-Final at the Dew Tour on May 22, 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Men's Park
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 22: Skateboarder Heimana Reynolds poses for a portrait during the Team USA Tokyo 2020 Olympic shoot on November 22, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Harry How/Getty Images
Men's Park
DES MOINES, IOWA - MAY 23: Zion Wright competes during the Men's Park Final at the Dew Tour on May 23, 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Laila Abuelhawa is the Top 40 and Hip-Hop pop culture writer for Beasley Media Group. Being with the company for over three years, Laila's fierce and fabulous red-carpet rankings have earned her a feature on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!' Her favorite stories are those surrounding the latest in celebrity fashion, television and film rankings, and how the world reacts to major celebrity news. With a background in journalism, Laila's stories ensure accuracy and offer background information on stars that you wouldn't have otherwise known. She prides herself in covering stories that inform the public about what is currently happening and what is to come in the ever-changing, ever-evolving media landscape.
