(NewsNation) — Andy Macdonald is set to become the oldest skateboarder to compete in the Olympics, qualifying for the 2024 Summer Games at the age of 50.
“It’s a pretty surreal experience just being able to qualify,” Macdonald told Newsnation.
The American-born skateboarder will be representing Great Britain, qualifying to make the country’s team because of his British father.
Macdonald didn’t have enough qualifying points to make the team until the last competition in Budapest, Hungary. He said it’s been great discovering how long it’s possible to keep skateboarding, even though he’ll be competing with teammates generations younger.
“There’s no rules along skateboarding,” He said. “It’s neat, having teammates that are 14 years old, and in what other sport does that happen while you’re competitive?”
Macdonald will turn 51 on his way to the Paris games. He’s hoping that his participation can help make skateboarding more accessible to people who might not consider it.
“It’s come a long way as far as perception, there’s more people skateboarding on than there ever has been, especially on the women’s side,” he said. “Skateboarding being in the Olympics has been overall an awesome thing, globally.”