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We’ve come a long way from pushing around on those little wooden toys and carving around empty pools. Progression is natural, but geez, the level of talent on display during the Men’s Skateboard Park Finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics almost had me speechless.

Keegan Palmer was in the top spot after the dust from the first two rounds had settled, but Tate Carew made a BIG leap to second place after his second run, which was a standout moment for sure. Unreal!

Every one of the final eight skaters hit the park in their own unique way, which is cool in itself, but every single one of them also went above and beyond with each line they carved. They left it all out there and undeniably proved they deserved to be there on the World Stage. 

Tom Schaar’s second run was absolutely mind-blowing. When Snoop Dogg is giving you dap, you know you're doing something right. Personally, I think he sort of got cheated out of that second score (Sheckler had to agree during the live broadcast as well) but what can you do?

Keegan Palmer was on fire and kept his top position after all the second runs were compete, despite not pulling one of his tricks, but Team USA was right on his tail going into the third and final round with Schaar in second and Carew in third.

However, Brazilian powerhouse, Augusto Akio jumped to third with his final run while Pedro Barros brought that Brazilian aggression to the course in his own unique way. 

Tate Carew’s third and final run started out unbelievably strong but he unfortunately missed a trick mid-line, which would inevitably end up knocking him off the podium. (That bluntslide through the pocket was bonkers, though!)

Alex Sorgente came into his third run charging but unfortunately also missed a heartbreaking trick mid-line, keeping him off the podium as well. The top three were set after Sorgente’s line, but the medals weren’t set in order just yet. 

Tom Schaar came out swinging during his final run, hungry for gold but took a heartbreaking slam with seconds left on the clock. Hey, a silver medal ain’t too shabby, Tom! 

By that point, Keegan Palmer was already in tears of joy, knowing he had earned that gold medal and took a victory lap to celebrate. Like the die-hard skate rat he is, the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Australia still put on quite a show for the fans with that glory run. 

The Australians swept the Park contest with Keegan Palmer and Arisa Trew both taking home gold. So much incredible skateboarding went down during the Men's and Women's Park contests, I almost can't even imagine them progressing even further! But skateboarders are skateboarders—that desire to push the boundaries will always be there. In a way, this is just the beginning. 

Congrats to every skateboarder who handled biz out in Paris. From street to park, skateboarding is clearly in good hands. And this new generation is as hungry as ever. 

2024 Paris Olympics Men's Skateboard Park Podium

Gold: Keegan Palmer

Silver: Tom Schaar

Bronze: Augusto Akio

Thumbnail Photos: World Skate / Bryce Kanights & Atiba Jefferson

This article first appeared on TransWorld Skateboarding and was syndicated with permission.

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