Minneapolis (USA) (AFP)

Surprised and then shared, the skaters finally made the idea to join the world of Olympism at the next Games, in 2020 in Tokyo. Gathered at their grand rendezvous, the X Games, in Minneapolis, they are preparing to release the big game in a year.

"The Games, I really want to go! The skateboard will change the Olympics for everyone, for those who watch, it will send!", Launches AFP 18-year-old American Jagger Eaton, a size in the street.

The street, a route on obstacles inspired by street furniture, is one of the two events on the program of the Olympics with the field park, known to the initiates under the name of bowl (figures to be realized in a kind of bowl).

At the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, dear to the Vikings' football team, skaters have not lost spectacular flights and acrobatics of a high level of technicality with an idea in mind. head: go to the Games.

Unthinkable only two years ago, when skateboarding was embarking on a structuring operation to tick the boxes of the Olympics.

- "Lifestyle" -

With its language codes, its particular dress, its way of life and the very free way to train, skateboarding is at the antipodes of the world of the Olympics.

"Some people think of skateboarding as a real sport, others do not, I do not care what it's called, all I can say is that it's very different from other sports, it's very individual, each here in his own style and makes different tricks, "defends the street phenomenon to 10 X Games gold medals, Nyjah Huston.

Even if they are free-spirited, skaters are used to competitive formats, starting with their reference event, the one that made them dream every kid: the X Games, created in 1995 by the TV channel American ESPN to celebrate extreme and alternative sports, but whose participation is by invitation.

"Things are getting serious now, before skater was a lifestyle guy and now it's a sport with anti-doping rules, where you have to pay attention to your health, where you have to get points to qualify for the Olympics. 'is different from before,' says the female star of this sport born in the street, the Brazilian Leticia Bufoni.

- "Cool" to be Olympian -

Edouard Damestoy, crowned world champion in July of Vert (a very airy event in a U-shaped structure), hopes to "live something different" if he qualifies for the Olympics.

"As a skater, we have not dreamed of the Olympics yet, when that happens, it's more like an opportunity, being an Olympic athlete is a cool thing to say," says the 22-year-old Frenchman. years, who thinks that skateboarding figures will "offer the public things completely different from what we used to see at the Olympics".

But by Tokyo, the road is still long. And if the skaters have accepted the idea of ​​a frame, everything is not settled.

"Skateboarding has more to do with a lifestyle, that's what makes it so different from all other sports, so competing in uniform and wearing all the same is something that will be really hard for us because Skateboarding gives you the freedom to express your style, we do not oppose it, but we work closely with the brands to make sure we get something we really want, "warns Bufoni.

© 2019 AFP