Paris 2024: 36 Woodward athletes heading to the Olympics
The action sports company proves to be the best training ground for Olympic hopefuls ahead of the international stage that kicks off on 26 July in the French capital.
On their “Our Story” page on their website, Woodward states that their main goal is to inspire the next generation of athletes and action sports enthusiasts. For over half a century, and undergoing a remarkable evolution that has led them to stardom, the sports brand continues to produce Olympic talent.
Founded in the ’70s, Woodward is a global leader in the development of action sports. They offer an immense catalog of products, programs, partnerships, and innovative experiences to empower young people to pursue their dreams.
36 athletes with a history at Woodward have secured spots to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics in skateboarding and BMX. Among these elite athletes from around the world, 23 have consistently trained at Woodward facilities over the past year.
“We have always been at the forefront of progression in action sports,” proudly declared Chris “Gunny” Gunnarson, the company’s president. “We are thrilled to see so many of the athletes who have trained at Woodward qualify for the Paris Games,” he continued.
“It is the result of their hard work and dedication, as well as the world-class training facilities and support provided by Woodward,” Gunnarson concluded, congratulating the athletes while also showcasing the facilities that the brand offers to young talent.
Woodward athletes competing in Paris participate in different disciplines of skateboarding and BMX. Some of the prominent names among the qualifiers include Jagger Eaton, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Games, and Perris Benegas.
“Woodward played a crucial role in my development as an athlete,” said Cocona Hiraki, another athlete in the Woodward Hall of Fame, who also won a silver medal at Tokyo 2020. “The facilities and the community here are unparalleled, and I am grateful for the support they have provided during my journey to the Games,” Hiraki concluded.
Ryan Nyquist, a legendary BMX rider and coach of the U.S. BMX team, highlighted the company’s fundamental role: “Woodward offers an unmatched combination of world-class facilities and a motivating environment.”
Now it remains to be seen what the future holds for the 36 Woodward athletes. On their website, they claim that 48 Olympic medals have been won by former Woodward athletes and guest professionals at the complex. Will that number grow when Paris 2024 comes to a close?