Olympic skateboarding explained: What are the rules around helmets, headphones and more

While not compulsory or mandated by law, wearing a helmet when riding a skateboard is strongly recommended for everyone — no matter your age or experience level.

Designed to protect a person's head in a fall, wearing a helmet can save a life.

So, if you've turned on the TV and seen some Olympic skateboarders in Paris not sporting a helmet, they have broken an unofficial rule — but not a legitimate one.

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Here's everything you need to know about the rules around helmets, attire and headphones during the Olympic skateboarding events.

First thing's first — it is important to understand the skateboarding disciplines on display at Paris 2024.

What are the skateboarding disciplines at Paris 2024?

Olympic skateboarding is made up of two key disciplines: street and park.

The two events take place on different courses and require different skill sets.

The street course is designed to replicate a real-world urban landscape with skaters navigating stair sets, handrails, benches and ledges, alongside traditional skate park elements like quarter pipes.

The course for park events is a hollowed-out concrete bowl with distinctive design features like set-back walls, elevation changes and variable grinding surfaces. These allow competitors to gain impressive speed and height to perform tricks mid-air.

Watch every moment, every medal of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event streaming ad free, live and on demand with 4K on Stan Sport.

What are the rules for helmets in Olympic skateboarding?

Skateboarding is one of the few sports at the Olympic Games comprising many underage competitors.

At the Olympic Games, there is no obligation for athletes competing in the street discipline to wear protective headgear, including helmets, unless they are under 18 years of age.

For these athletes, a helmet is mandatory in the event of a fall or collision — and if a helmet is refused, the athlete will be disqualified.

For those also wondering, there is no universal minimum age to participate in the Olympic Games but each sport's international body does have its own age limits.

As it stands, there is no minimum age to compete in skateboarding at the Olympic Games.

For the park discipline, a helmet must be worn by all competitors.

While wearing a helmet significantly reduces the risk of a serious head injury or death in the event of a fall, some professionals dislike the weight of a helmet on their head or feel they are unnecessary after years of practice.

Why aren't some Olympic skateboarders wearing pads?

Knee and elbow pads, as well as wrist guards, are worn at an athlete's discretion.

Protective gear is not always a good fit for the demands of street, however the high-danger elements of park mean athletes are more likely to don them during competition.

Are Olympic skateboarders allowed to have AirPods in?

Skateboarding may be the only sport in the world where it is acceptable to wear headphones and earbuds, including Apple AirPods, while competing.

It is understood that some athletes wear wireless bluetooth earbuds to pump music of their choice or reduce their surrounding sound.

Headphones and earbuds are prohibited during practice to avoid collisions between athletes.

- Additional reporting by Tara Blancato