Skateboarding-With Olympics debut, skaters roll into mainstream

FILE PHOTO: Skateboarder Sky Brown (UK) practices during a stop on the Dew Tour, which showcases athletes before skateboarding makes its Olympic debut in Tokyo, at Lauridsen Park in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., May 19, 2021. REUTERS/Rachel Mummey/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - The debut of skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympics will be yet another sign that an activity once embraced as a symbol of counter-culture has firmly joined the mainstream.

Skateboarding joins surfing and sports climbing at the Tokyo Olympics this summer with organisers and broadcasters hoping the new events will draw new and younger audiences to the Games.