SARASOTA (WSNN) – Several Suncoast athletes are representing Team USA at the Olympics. And this weekend, the games begin! Sarasota skateboarder, Jake Ilardi, shares how it’s going in Tokyo so far.
“The experience has been amazing,” Ilardi said.
Jake Ilardi is a Sarasota native competing on the world’s biggest stage among hundreds of Olympians. But for him, the person who stood out the most was Skateboard legend, Tony Hawk.
“It was really cool, ’cause he was a big inspiration for me when I was a little kid,” Ilardi said.
While Ilardi is competing against the top skateboarders in the world, he says he doesn’t see them as rivals.
“At the end of the day, we’re all just friends who happen to make the Olympics and are having fun together,” Ilardi said.
While he is used to practicing in the brutal summer heat here in Sarasota, Ilardi says it doesn’t compare to the hot temperatures in Tokyo.
“Out here, it’s a lot worse,” Ilardi said. “It’s like a different of heat, it’s very humid, but at the same time, the sun is just beating down on us.”
So, Nike and USA Skateboarding provided the skaters with ice vests.
“Athletes are overheating like pretty easy out here, so we just put the ice vest on after we skate, and it helps us bring our body temperatures back to the core temperature we need to cool us down some,” Ilardi said.
Ilardi’s family couldn’t make it to Japan since the country is limiting spectators due to COVID-19.
“I wish I could be there and my grandma could be there,” Ilardi’s twin brother, Nate Ilardi said.
“Too far, as far as I’m concerned, but what a great thing to do,” Ilardi’s grandmother Paulette Moulton said.
They’re looking at the bright side. The city is hosting a watch party for Jake this Saturday.
“All our friends and family will come out and support Jake from here in Sarasota,” Nate said.
Ilardi’s family has a message for him 7,300 miles away:
“It’s just another competition, I know you’ll do your best,” Nate said. “I mean just soak in the experience and have fun.”
“So proud of you, love you every day, you know that,” Moulton said. “And so glad, that you made it this far, and I know you’re going to go farther. These Olympics are just the beginning. Good luck and bring home the gold, would be great. But just come home, that’s the main thing.”
The skateboarders compete Saturday night. The watch party in Sarasota starts at 7:30 pm for the preshow. It’s located on the grass amphitheater next to Payne Park.
