Pinson’s in Paris, kicking off Olympics

The opening ceremonies for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, are today, and Poe Pinson of Fernandina Beach is there representing the U.S. women’s skateboarding team.
Pinson and her teammates compete Sunday. The preliminaries are scheduled from 6-11 a.m., and the final starts at 11 a.m.
For anyone who didn’t make the trip to Paris, Mocama Beer Company is hosting an Olympic watch party starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday. Doors open at 5:45 a.m.
The Games will be aired on NBC.
Pinson, 19, qualified for the 2024 Olympics in Budapest, Hungary, last month. It was the final Olympic qualifier.
Pinson will compete in street skateboarding on Sunday, and her teammates include Paige Heyn and Mariah Duran.
Skateboarding was added as an Olympic sport in 2021, and Pinson almost qualified then.
“I was the fourth American, and they take the top three,” she said.
But, she punched her ticket with performances in Shanghai, China, and Budapest. She placed fourth in Shanghai and 11th in Budapest.
“Shanghai is where she jumped up and became ninth in the world,” said Pinson’s father, Kenny. “That was a good finish for her. She didn’t medal, but she was close.
“She was just on top of her game. It’s been beautiful to watch her perform now. Her intensity, her joy.”
Pinson stepped on a skateboard for the first time when she was just 2 years old and got her first skateboard when she was 4. She’s honed her skill at the Fernandina Beach Skate Park at Main Beach.
Her dad didn’t realize back then he’d be watching Pinson compete in the Olympics.
“At the time, it doesn’t strike you,” Kenny Pinson said.
Bonne chance, Poe!