Yahoo Movies A 13-year-old girl just made history for Team GB and we're a bit obsessed
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics have given us many inspiring moments, from Simone Biles' important statement about prioritising her mental health, to Helen Glover's message about why it's okay to fail. Now, another Olympian is making headlines for her incredible story - skateboarder Sky Brown.
Brown, who's just 13 years and 28 days old, claimed a bronze medal in her event this morning, making her Team GB's youngest medallist in a summer games, a title that hasn't changed hands since 1984.
After winning Britain's first skateboarding medal in an Olympics, Sky gave a notably chilled out interview, highlighting that for the teen, Tokyo 2020 is all about having fun.
Speaking about her medal, Sky said: "It’s incredible, it feels unreal, I’m so happy to be here."
The athlete was in fourth place going into the last of her three rounds because on the first two runs she tumbled attempting the same trick. Amazingly, despite the pressure on her young shoulders, Sky landed the skill on her third try and moved up into bronze medal position.
"I fell twice but that made the last one go even better. All the girls were ripping it. It was insane. It was a super sick final," Sky said after the event.
When asked what she was planning to do next, Sky gave another carefree response. "Hang out with some friends and party," is what's on her agenda now.
Sky wasn't the only youngster on the podium, as silver went to 12-year-old Kokona Hiraki of Japan, who's now the youngest Olympic medallist of any nation for 85 years. Gold went to Japan's Sakura Yosozumi, 19.
While Sky seems to be loving her Olympic experience, it's clear her family are focussed on ensuring the pressure of competing at the highest level at such a young age is removed from the situation.
Stu Brown, Sky’s father, touched on this when explaining why they had decided that she should compete for Great Britain, where he grew up, rather than Japan, where her mother, Mieko, is from. “We chose Great Britain because we felt that there was no pressure and they didn’t ask us to commit. They made it very clear that if she wasn’t happy or wasn’t feeling good at any time we could pull out," he said.
It's another important example of mental health being prioritised at elite level sport, and the result seems to be one very happy - and inspirational - 13-year-old. We have to admit, we're a little obsessed with teen sensation Sky, and we hope she thoroughly enjoys hanging out with her friends and partying.
You Might Also Like
