US Skateboarder Talks Being A Role Model After Winning Bronze Medal In Tokyo
Jul 26, 2021, 10:49 AM | Updated: 10:49 am
Bronze medallist Jagger Eaton of the US poses on the podium at the end of the men's street prelims during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Sports Park Skateboarding in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. (Photo by Jeff PACHOUD / AFP) (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images)
TOKYO — If you haven’t heard, skateboarding has made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
KSL-TV’s Alex Cabrero caught up with Jagger Eaton after he won the Bronze Medal in the event for Team USA.
“Why does (skateboarding) belong (at the Olympics)? Why is skateboarding an Olympic sport?” Cabrero asked Eaton.
“I feel like skateboarding belongs in the Olympics because it’s such a creative and fun outlet for kids growing up. That’s exactly what I took from it,” replied Eaton. “It’s exactly what you want it to be, and that’s why I feel like I always take from skateboarding.”
US skateboarder Jagger Eaton showed me his Bronze Medal he earned in the street event here in Tokyo. His mother is originally from Utah and says Salt Lake has some great skaters! This interview will run on our @KSL5TV 9:30pm newscast. @kslsports #ksltv #nowifeelold pic.twitter.com/HqTnlG0esu
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) July 26, 2021
“Now, there’s a lot of kids who saw you compete in the Olympics. They might be trying your tricks. How do you feel being a role model and maybe setting the standards, the next wave of skateboarders?” asked Cabrero.
“It’s an honor to be a role model. Honestly, I’ve been falling in love with skating for 16 years now, and to be able to hold an Olympic medal around my neck is a goal that I never really thought would ever happen,” said Eaton. “For all the kids that are skating out there in Salt Lake or anywhere in the world, man, just love skateboarding and have so much fun with it because that’s what it’s supposed to be.”
“Speaking of Salt Lake City, I know you’re a California guy — that’s where skateboarding is from. But we just built that whole Olympic Park there as well for skateboarding in Salt Lake. There’s some other parks that have been built. Growing the sport to Salt Lake, what is the skateboarding scene like in Salt Lake and can that be the next place?” asked Cabrero.
“The skating scene in Salt Lake for me has always been pretty strong. There’s a pro skater out there named Tyson Bowerbank, he’s one of my really good friends, and I have a lot of family out there,” said Eaton. “My mom is actually from Utah, so I have a lot of family out there. To everybody in Salt Lake, what’s going on? I’m bringing it home to the U.S.!”
