Exiting the skateboarding arena at the historic Place de la Concorde after the final showdown, the scene was instantly captivating.
Hundreds of fans had gathered by the exit, held back by temporary metal barriers to manage the crowd.
Excitement buzzed as eyes scanned the area, eager to spot the latest Olympic sensations.
These stars were the teen trio Arisa Trew, Hiraki Cocona, and Sky Brown. The oldest of them had just turned 16, and they had delivered a memorable skate final.
World number one, Japan's Hiraki Cocona, set the bar high with an impressive 91.98 on her first run.
Australia's Trew and Britain's Brown rose to the challenge, with Trew scoring 90.11 and Brown 91.60 in their second runs.
The final round saw the trio truly shine.
Trew's last run featured a commanding series of tricks, including 540s and a front nose blunt on the box grab 180 out, ending with a triumphant grin.
Her bright pink helmet and infectious smile lit up the arena as skateboarding legend Tony Hawk applauded, recognizing the significance of her 93.18 score, which secured her the lead.
Despite their best efforts, Brown and Hiraki couldn't surpass Trew's score.
The event concluded with applause and tears of joy. Hiraki claimed silver, and Brown took bronze.
This thrilling final was a perfect match for the iconic Parisian backdrop. Yet, it signified more than just a competition.
Olympic Camaraderie
Trew, Australia's youngest-ever Olympic medallist and the youngest gold medallist at these Games, had already made history in 2024.
In May, she became the first woman to land a 900 on the vert ramp, following her 2023 milestone as the first woman to land a 720 in competition.
These achievements earned her the Action Sportsperson of the Year at the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards.
For Trew, Paris 2024 wasn't just a historical moment; it was part of an ongoing legacy.
Trew's performance on Tuesday was a continuation of her groundbreaking career, elevating women's skateboarding to new heights under the global spotlight.
Hiraki and Brown also contributed significantly to advancing women's skateboarding.
Brown, with her distinctive style and courage, competed despite dislocating her shoulder just a day before and recovering from a medial cruciate ligament tear in April.
She acknowledged the pain but embraced it as part of her journey. Her resilience was a testament to her dedication.
Brown's medal was also remarkable for another reason: she spent 389 days away from Olympic qualifiers to pursue a surfing spot for Paris.
Though she didn't secure the surf quota, her seamless return to skateboarding highlighted her versatility and passion.
Meanwhile, Hiraki consistently showcased her prowess.
As Japan's youngest Olympic medallist at 15, she maintained top form throughout the Paris 2024 qualifications, rarely missing the podium. Her fluid style and lip tricks set a high standard for her competitors.
Trew, Hiraki, and Brown are transforming their sport in unique ways.
This camaraderie was evident during the post-medal ceremony press conference, where the trio, all speaking some Japanese, shared laughs and supported each other while answering questions.
Brown praised her fellow medallists, calling Trew's innovative tricks inspiring and acknowledging Hiraki's talent and growth.
Hiraki echoed these sentiments, appreciating their mutual inspiration and support.
While the prospect of their future achievements, including aspirations for LA 2028, is exciting, the significance of their current accomplishments should not be overlooked.
On Tuesday, the world witnessed the evolution of skateboarding and met the young women leading its charge.
Park Skateboarding at Paris 2024 | Women's Final
- Arisa Trew (AUS) 93.18
- Cocona Hiraki (JAP) 92.63
- Sky Brown (GBR) 92.31