August 7, 2024; Paris, France; Keegan Palmer (AUS) competes during the men’s park preliminary round on Court 4, Place de la Concorde, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. PARIS – Australia’s Keegan Palmer defeated American Tom Schaar at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday to retain the Tokyo Olympic title and become the first man to win back-to-back gold medals in park skateboarding winner.
Palmer took the lead in the opening run with a time of 93.11, which ultimately proved to be enough as Schaal was unable to stay connected with the board in the final run.
Brazil’s Augusto Akio beat compatriot Pedro Barros to take the bronze medal.
After sealing the title before the final race, Palmer took a lap in front of a raucous crowd that included skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and rapper Snoop Dogg.
Burrows and American Tate Carew skated to meet Palmer on a box jump in the middle of the bowl and hoisted the 21-year-old Palmer onto their shoulders in a show of great sportsmanship.
Palmer burst onto the scene three years ago, dominating the inaugural park race in Tokyo but emerged as favorite in Wednesday’s final.
He had won his heat earlier in the day with blistering speed, tremendous aerial power and complete control and didn’t let up in the final at Concorde.
Palmer’s victory came on Tuesday when 14-year-old Australian Arisa Trew won the women’s park race.
——Reuters, on-site media special report
