As skateboarding made its grand debut at the Olympic Games, it brought with it not only an explosion of adrenaline-packed performances but also a commitment to maintaining a clean and fair sport.
To achieve this, strict drug testing and location transparency have become pivotal in the lives of skateboarders competing on the world's biggest stage.
In a Nine Club podcast interview, professional skateboarder Maurio McCoy shares his experience with these stringent measures and sheds light on the dedication it takes to keep the sport drug-free.
McCoy revealed how Olympic officials take their commitment to drug testing to a whole new level.
Drug testing in skateboarding is not a recent phenomenon, but the stakes are higher than ever at the Olympics.
The stringent measures are in place to ensure that all athletes are competing on a level playing field and that the integrity of the sport remains intact.
Athletes like McCoy understand the importance of these protocols and their role in keeping the sport clean and honest.
Location transparency is another crucial component of the testing process. Skateboarders must constantly update their whereabouts to make it easier for officials to conduct random drug tests.
McCoy acknowledged the inconvenience of always being reachable but saw it as a small price to pay for the privilege of representing skateboarding on the Olympic stage.