Andy Macdonald holds the record as the oldest skateboarder at the Olympics. He received a standing ovation from skateboard legend and friend Tony Hawk. A man who is over half a century old seems to have not lost his balance and agility when standing on his skateboard. He is Andrew “Andy” Macdonald.
Andrew Macdonald, who is now 51 years old, took part in the men’s skateboarding qualifying round of the 2024 Olympic park event at La Concorde, Paris, Wednesday (7/8/2024). He faced other athletes who were much younger than him. Perhaps, only Dallas Oberholzer (49 years old/South Africa) can be said to be in the same generation as Andrew Macdonald.
History was made! Andrew Macdonald, who can represent Great Britain because his father was born in Luton, is now the oldest skateboarder ever to compete in the Olympics. He closed the qualifying round in 18th place out of 22 contestants. This result closed his chance of taking home a medal. However, being a champion or winning a medal has never been on Andy Macdonald’s mind, who has won 23 X-Games gold medals in vert skating.
“I could fall on every stunt and still be as happy as I am now. It doesn’t matter,” said Andy Macdonald as reported by the Olympic website. Whatever the result, Macdonald still feels like a winner.
“People ask ‘Are you chasing a gold medal?’ and I say, if they gave a gold medal to whoever had the most fun, I would have won it. I would definitely win a gold medal for the most fun,” said the figure who also appeared in the popular video game Tony Hawk Pro Skater.
Macdonald also caught the attention of fans who were present at La Concorde. One of the most frequently-spotted spectators was skateboarding legend Tony Hawk (56). “I’ve been friends with this guy for the past 30 years and he’s one of the most talented and reckless skaters you’ll ever meet,” Tony Hawk wrote in an Instagram post dedicated specifically to Andy Macdonald some time ago.
Tony Hawk cheered with joy when Macdonald finished his second act with a backflip, aka a spinning movement while floating in the air. “I’m trying to show that this is fun no matter what age you are. This is the coolest, most fun, and most inclusive thing you can do,” said Andy Macdonald as reported by the Associated Press.
