Great Rings of Joy! (?)

I had always kind of wondered if this day would come, and it looks like it is finally dawning upon us all. That’s right folks, skateboarding is being considered for the 2012 Olympic Games. Spurred on by the success (success being a relative term of course) the IOC is considering the proposal right now, which would allow our favorite 4 wheel warriors to finally win those real gold medals instead of the cheesy X-shaped ones that they win at the X Games every year. What will the track and field athletes think? Read more after the jump.

Skateboarding Considered for the 2012 Olympics

From ESPN: Youth movement? Olympics may add skateboarding for 2012

Skateboarding events are part of the X Games, and the IOC is eager to modernize the Olympic program with sports and disciplines that appeal to youth. It has already added snowboarding to the Winter Games and BMX cycling for next year’s Beijing Olympics.

“The IOC wants to make the program relevant for young people,” IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said

From the Irish Examiner: Skateboarding ‘may debut’ at 2012 Olympics

In order for skateboarding to be held at the Games, the International Cycling Union would need to formally recognise skateboarding as a sport and come up with a formal proposal to be considered by the IOC, she said.

From This Is London: Skateboarding to make Olympic debut in 2012

London Games organisers have already earmarked the cycling velodrome in the Olympic Park as a venue for the inaugural Olympic skateboarding event.
The competition would take place in the middle of the cycle circuit where organisers plan to erect several “half-pipes” on which skateboarders perform their stunts.

A unique perspective from Cycling News: UCI to add skateboarding to Olympic menu? (Scroll Down)

It remains to be seen of the addition of skateboarding would result in any further cuts of cycling events. Track cycling lost the men’s and women’s kilometre and 500m time trial events to accommodate the addition of BMX racing.

From Times Online: Skateboarding ramps up its bid to be an Olympic sport

By becoming a discipline of an existing sport, skateboarding would be able to sidestep the usual seven-year wait for Olympic entry. This would also give the executive board of the IOC final say on entry, which usually requires a two-thirds majority of IOC members. In 2005 the IOC considered squash and karate for inclusion, but each sport failed to gain the necessary majority to join the Games in 2012.

From Earth Times: Skateboarding may join the Olympics

IOC President Jacques Rogge wants skateboarding to be part of the 2012 Games after snowboarding at the Winter Games in Turin was such a success. He also said it is likely the sport would have a positive impact on television ratings among young people.