Why are Olympics skateboarders so young? Explaining age rules, why teenage girls dominate 2024 medal podiums

Since the sport was introduced to the Olympics during the 2021 Tokyo Games, women's skateboarding events have produced some of the youngest podiums ever.

The six medals each Games for the women's street and park competitions have so far been swept by teenage athletes. Tokyo's women's street champion, Japan's Momiki Nishiya, won at 13, and her teammate, Sakura Yosozumi, won the park event at 19. Cocona Hiraki, also Japanese, took silver in the park competition at 12, becoming the youngest Olympic medalist in 85 years.

This year's podiums consisted of more youngsters, with 14-year-olds taking home gold in both events. In fact, the youngest athlete at this year's Games, China's Zheng Haohao, competed in the women's park event at the age of 11. Simply put, if your age begins with a two or above, good luck earning any hardware against these teens.

Here's everything you need to know about the age rules and why teenagers dominate the 2024 women's skateboarding medal podiums.

2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
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Why are Olympics women's skateboarders so young?

There are several reasons why the best women's skateboarders in the world are so young—the first being that teenagers simply aren't as worried about hurting themselves as adults.

A size advantage is also possible, Business Insider reported in 2021 . Having a smaller body offers an edge in skateboarding, especially for any tricks that require rotation because the body's center of gravity is closer to the board, among other things.

This also applies to muscle mass, which is heavy. While having strength is important, having too much can cause problems. However, being strong enough goes a long way toward providing speed and height while jumping.

Additionally, if you've ever been to a skate park, you'll notice the average age tends to skew toward the teenage range. Skateboarding is a sport where specializing early on can help athletes quickly pick up new skills.

How old is Olympic skateboarding gold medalist Arisa Trew?

Arisa Trew, the first woman skateboarder to land a 900, became the youngest gold medalist at the 2024 Olympics with her gold medal-winning performance in the women's park final. At 14, she is also Australia's youngest medalist in history.

MORE: Youngest and oldest Olympians on Team USA, from Hezly Rivera and Quincy Wilson to Steffen Peters

How old do you have to be to compete in the Olympics?

Surprisingly, the IOC has no official age limits in their rules. That being said, age limit rules can be implemented by the sport's federation (FIFA, for example) or the event itself at the Olympics.

There is no minimum age to compete in Olympic skateboarding, both women's and men's.

MORE: Olympics skateboarding schedule

Olympic women's skateboarding podiums and ages

Both women's skateboarding events have concluded and medals have been distributed. The street and park competitions were exciting, and they offer some of the youngest podium finishers of the Paris Games so far with an average medalist age of 15.

Women's street podium

Women's park podium