Credit: Unsplash

The British bronze medalist offered some words for the next generation.

In the inaugural year of skateboarding’s inclusion as an Olympic sport at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, we’ve seen some truly fantastic athletes rise to the occasion in the event’s numerous divisions. One division in particular was the women’s skate park skating event, where at the finals, Great Britain skater Sky Brown pulled off a last-minute flawless run to secure the bronze medal.

“This is probably, honestly, one of the best memories ever,” Brown told CNN.

At the end of the event, all of the competitors came together in a massive embrace in a display of mutual respect, love, and sportsmanship. “Skateboarding is one big family,” brown says. “We push each other and we have fun together, and I think skateboarding is just a friendly sport.”

Brown overcame daunting odds to get where she is now; in May of 2020, she endured a brutal 15-foot fall while training, ending up with a fractured skull, broken left wrist and hand, and lacerations to her lungs and stomach. Even after being laid up, though, she didn’t give up hope, because above all else, she loves skateboarding and its culture, and to her, that’s the best reason to do anything.

Sky Brown takes BRONZE in the first ever Olympic Skateboard Park final!

Congratulations @skyandocean_ – You are amazing.@TeamGB #skateboarding #skateboardgb #tokyo2020 #olympics pic.twitter.com/P2JkZxRtn6

— Skateboard GB (@SkateboardGB) August 4, 2021

“Be brave, be strong, have fun and do it because you love it,” she told CNN. “Don’t let anybody stop you, get out there and prove people wrong.”

Assuming skateboarding becomes a mainstay event of the Olympics, and considering the positive reception it’s had, the odds of that are pretty good, Brown is hoping to compete in the women’s division once again in the Paris 2024 games. Though she’s having the absolute time of her life, she’s doing her best to really savor the feeling of competing.

“I think it’s important to not just do one thing. Do all different kinds of things because life’s too short,” she says.