The Paris 2024 Olympic Games has done a fantastic job of presenting vibrant and intriguing moments. One sweltering afternoon in the unshaded seats of the Place de la Concorde, it offered something unique: a moment in the limelight for 51-year-old men in cargo shorts. Welcome to the unexpected wave of the old guard. Welcome to the inaugural and hopefully final chapter of Dad Bloke Summer.
Olympic skateboarding has already left its imprint in Paris and Tokyo. This is an exhilarating, high-stake sport. Tuesday afternoon showcased a thrilling women’s competition that was both captivating and at times brutal. The following day’s men’s heats offered not just a high-level medal competition but also a chance for 51-year-old Andy Macdonald to shine in Great Britain’s colors. Yes, you read that right.
However, Macdonald is not your typical cargo-shorted 51-year-old. This isn’t Bob from Leicester giving it a shot, nor is he someone’s dad getting bored outside. Macdonald is a legendary skateboarder, a pre-packaged icon. With eight gold medals from the X Games, he turned professional at 12. A longtime friend of Tony Hawk, he’s also the face of the creatively titled 1999 video game Skateboarding Featuring Andy Macdonald, which indeed features Andy Macdonald.
And sure, it’s easy to critique this scenario. The usual reaction may be to chuckle and summon the image of Steve Buscemi with a skateboard, awkwardly saying “how do you do, fellow kids?” But the community of 51-year-old men in cargo shorts turns away from that stereotype. While it serves a purpose, we need fresh heroes now.
True, Macdonald’s father hails from Luton, qualifying him for Team GB. Yet, seeing him in person, with his star charisma, television tan, and celebrity smile, one might ponder that if you were to envision the least Luton-like person, Macdonald might fit that image perfectly.
And yes, again, to earn his spot in the GB Olympics, he bested a 12-year-old boy, which, as one 51-year-old dad to another, seems somewhat against the unwritten code. But perhaps we should just let him have his moment. Maybe it’s best to sit back, relax, and catch up on a podcast.
This event was genuinely heartwarming and showcased a commendable level of competition. Primarily, it was an uplifting spectacle, inspiring not only 51-year-old men and women but anyone eager to be motivated. Yet, it was particularly uplifting for 51-year-old men in cargo shorts. Macdonald might not exemplify Luton skateboard culture, but by the end, as he engaged with the crowd and radiated joy, one couldn’t shake the feeling that he was embodying a different nation—the nation of 51-year-old men in cargo shorts.
Gazing around at other seasoned men in the press area, also sporting cargo shorts as if paying homage, it was hard not to feel recognized and represented. This is our emblem. We have our Marchand, our Biles. And yet, oh dear. Nothing. Just a moment of self-reflection. Nothing of great consequence.
In truth, this was simply an outstanding sporting event. The Arena at La Concorde is breathtaking, resembling an urban canyon filled with slopes and ramps. The atmosphere is vibrant and enjoyable, the crowd young and diverse, and the athletes’ brilliance is undeniable and instantly accessible. Skateboarding is among the most exciting new Olympic sports, one that is accessible to all, requiring nothing more than a plank with wheels and a slope.
The preliminaries took place in the morning, with only eight out of 22 skateboarders advancing to the afternoon final. Macdonald was set to go last. As the tension heightened, the final group emerged.
When Macdonald was announced, he received an enormous ovation, which naturally brought a touch of nerves. He appeared fit and healthy, albeit notably dad-fit compared to the weightless teens and twenty-somethings around him. He flashed a quirky hand gesture for the cameras (probably not advisable) and high-fived another competitor with long, tousled surfer hair (also probably not advisable). He’s a champion in his own right. But he’s also a dad in cargo shorts. Would everything be alright?
First up was 22-year-old Luigi Cini from Curitiba, Brazil, who executed an astonishing array of tricks, scoring an impressive 89.10. Next was Steven Piñeiro from Puerto Rico, who displayed sublime ease and power. Third was the remarkable 17-year-old Keefer Wilson, gliding effortlessly like a leaf caught in the wind.
As Macdonald watched, one could wonder if he might experience a moment of hesitation, thinking maybe he should just take a run instead. Did anyone want a drink? Was parking about to expire? Instead, he stepped forward, launched himself into the air, and executed everything flawlessly—expert control, flips, turns, and a brilliant 360.
He didn’t aim for big air or overly complex tricks. Macdonald opted for a more traditional approach, something those in their 40s and 50s might relate to. As skills mature, so do one’s methods. In football, one might display classic passing techniques or cricket hits that hark back to the past. Your tennis play mirrors the style of Virginia Wade—yes, a topspin forehand.
Macdonald skated in an old-school, solid, dad-esque style, much like a man skillfully pitching a tent. Everything went smoothly until he fell during his final jump, only to spring up, smiling and assuredly proclaiming that he was alright, and asking how everyone else was doing.
The applause was thunderous. He waved and beamed at the crowd. On his second run, he scored 76.61. During his third attempt, he bettered that performance, landing in 18th place overall. Notably, he stayed on his board while many others tumbled, which felt akin to a father winning at ping-pong simply because he chose to help clear the table afterward.
The cheers erupted again as he spun his board and grinned for the cameras, clearly enjoying every moment. He eventually took longer to meet the press, prompting some playful remarks about needing to rest or just close his eyes. Yet he looked invigorated in the mixed zone, captivating the group of fellow cargo-shorted men who asked age-appropriate questions like, “How’s your wife?” Frankly, it was surprising that no one inquired about recommendations for organic IPAs or the judge who has no fingers—it’s Justice Thumbs.
By this point, Macdonald had already won over his audience, showcasing the most straightforward reason for his presence: his superstar status and how it would elevate skateboarding. Right from the start, he delivered the quintessential dad-level soundbite: “If they’re giving out gold medals for having the most fun, I’ve got it wrapped up, right?” Yes, indeed. Preach.
