SARASOTA – Excitement filled the air Saturday night.
Friends and family of two of Sarasota Olympians gathered to cheer them on as they competed for a chance to bring home the Gold in their respective events. With history being made as Skateboarding made its Olympic debut.
Osprey’s own Jake Ilardi was among the elite athletes competing for a chance to go down in history as the first Olympians to medal for skateboarding.
“It’s amazing man, it’s a once in a lifetime experience,” said Nate Ilardi. “I hope he’s soaking it in and enjoying it.”
Due to Japan’s COVID-19 travel restrictions many of the athletes’ coaches and families were not allowed to attend the 2020 Olympic Games.
So instead watch parties were organized by the community to show their support for Jake and Emma Weyant some 12,000 miles away.
But severe weather forced Jake’s watch party at Payne Park to be canceled just as the 24-year-old Olympian’s preliminary round was set to begin.
“It’s unfortunate that we had the rain, but it shows that the community is behind Jake and a lot of people came to watch Jake skate,” said Nate.
Despite Jake’s ranking in the Olympics, he didn’t qualify for the Finals in the Men’s Street Skateboarding. Instead, American Jagger Eaton took home the Bronze medal.
“On any given day anyone can take the medal cause it’s the name of the game,” said Nate.
Bill Wagy spearheaded in organizing Jake’s watch party. He says throughout the years he’s been able to see Jake and his brother Nate’s grow and pursue their passion.
And he simply wanted to return the favor to Ilardi brothers for all that they’ve done for their community.
“They’re part of the community. Jake helps prepare the skate park when it needs it,” said Wagy “It’s just really great to do something for the good of the community and for those who do it, to show them we love them for it.”
Wagy says despite Jake placement in the semifinal round they plan to throw the young Olympian a celebratory bash as soon as he returns from Tokyo.
