There's been a lot of debate lately surrounding the issue of involving skateboarding in the Olympics. In the last few months, the discussion has moved from 'Should skateboarding be in the Olympics?' to 'When will skateboarding enter the Olympics?'.

This debate is close to many skaters' hearts as skating has always been something to defy the system and go against authority. But what will happen to the skating way of life if it has to conform to the Olympics strict code of conduct? A lot of skaters fear the sport will lost its individuality and become too mainstream.

However, the other side of the coin offers a negative result for the world of skateboarding too. If skaters themselves don't enter skateboarding into the Olympics, someone else will. That someone else won't have any inclination to keep the integrity and rebelliousness of skateboarding. In a way, skateboarders are screwed if they do enter, screwed if they don't.



One way respected organizations within skateboarding are suggesting to combat this is to highlight the issue of 'Sport'. Is skateboarding even a sport? Does it constitute more of an art-form? Instead of competitions through governing bodies like the Olympics, should there be 'exhibitions' of skateboarding?

Another positive point in the fight against skateboarding becoming an Olympics event is the very valid fact that the Olympics is full. That's right, only a certain amount of medals can be awarded each event - and the Olympics are maxed out. To get skateboarding included means the exclusion of another, already-accepted, sport.

The process of adding another sport to the Olympics already long list of events is time-consuming and laborious. But there are a lot of people incredibly keen to push it forward and invest. Perhaps in 2016, there will be a skateboarding event. The real question is, who will be running it and what will our beloved sport actually look like?