Skateboarding, often dominated by the young, saw gold medalists in Tokyo 2021 aged 22, 19, 18, and 13. This summer, 11-year-old Zheng Haohao of China will compete in Paris. Joining him will be 50-year-old Andy Macdonald.
The oldest competitor
Macdonald, born in the U.S. but representing Britain due to his British father, will be 51 by the time he competes in the park event. This discipline involves performing tricks in a bowl with ramps, bumps, and pipes, as opposed to the street event, which mimics an urban environment with elements like stairs, handrails, and curbs.
Qualifying against the odds
Macdonald earned his spot on Britain’s team by performing exceptionally well in the Olympic Qualifier Series this year. His teammates, teenagers Sky Brown and Lola Tambling, are both younger than the oldest of Macdonald’s three children. This achievement makes him the oldest skateboarder in Olympic history.
Macdonald’s reflections
In an interview with The New York Times, Macdonald discussed his journey to the Olympics, the challenges of skating at an older age, and his strategy for qualifying. “I thought I could make the British team, but beyond that, I knew that qualifying for the Olympic Games would be a long shot,” he said.
He shared the dramatic moment when he clinched his qualification: “I fell on my first two runs. On my last run, I pulled it off. I scored 11 points higher than I had ever scored on the tour.”
The Physical toll
Skateboarding at 50 comes with its own set of challenges. “It hurts more when you fall. It takes longer to heal. But just don’t stop,” Macdonald advised. He marvels at the resilience of his younger peers, saying, “I get their youth and exuberance through osmosis.”
Macdonald has faced his share of injuries, including a broken ankle and kneecap. He has undergone ankle and knee surgeries but considers himself lucky to have had relatively few long-term injuries.
Bridging generations
Despite the age gap, Macdonald feels a strong connection with his teenage teammates. “Skateboarding is the fountain of youth,” he said. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience, having been present when many tricks were invented.
Reflecting on how skateboarding has changed, Macdonald noted, “It has developed exponentially in skill levels, especially among younger kids.” He credits better facilities and public access for this evolution.
Already, qualifying for the Olympics ranks high in Macdonald’s career. “Just making it is kind of the medal for me. Of course, I’m going for the gold, but I’m happy to be there,” he said.
Future plans
When asked about his plans for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Macdonald responded, “Ask me after Paris.” He remains hopeful for the inclusion of vert skating, which could see him competing for Team 55 and Up.
