As the Paris Olympics kick off this month, the world is set to witness a new generation of talent, and among the stars to watch is 14-year-old Fay DeFazio Ebert. Hailing from Toronto, this young skateboarder has already made a significant impact on the global stage, and her journey to the Olympics is a story of passion, dedication, and remarkable talent.
Ebert’s breakout moment came at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, where she dazzled spectators with her exceptional performance in the women’s skateboard park competition. At just 13, she clinched the gold medal, showcasing her prowess and skill. With the sun shining down on the Urban Sports Esplanade of the National Stadium, Fay executed an array of tricks and maneuvers that left judges and onlookers in awe.
Reflecting on her performance, Ebert shared, “I was feeling really confident, and I was taking one trick at a time. I was thinking about my breathing a lot because I didn’t want to get tired. So when I had the chance when I wasn’t doing my tricks it was like a big inhale and then exhale. And then I would do my trick. And I really focused on each trick. I popped out of the bowl. And I was like, wow, like, I felt really good. The adrenaline. And I gave a bunch of people hugs.”
Even as she awaited the final scores, Fay remained supportive of her fellow competitors. She was especially focused on Brazil’s Raicca Ventura, who had the potential to overtake her. “It was her last run, and she was in fourth at the time because she didn’t land her two other runs. So, I said okay, please, I really want her to land her run. And she was in the bowl. And I saw I was like, ‘Oh my God, she’s doing it, she’s committed. She popped out of the bowl and I gave her a hug and was like, ‘yes, you did it!’”
In the end, Ventura took silver with a score of 82.54 points, while American skateboarder Bryce Wettstein claimed bronze with 79.95 points. Ebert’s score of 84.66 secured her the top spot, making her the youngest gold medalist on the Canadian team at the Games.
Fay’s skateboarding journey began about five years ago when she attended a skateboarding camp during March Break. “My Dad was looking, he was said, okay, you want to try skateboarding?” Ebert recalls. “And I said sure, and just went to the lesson. But we bought a board right after the lessons and I was like, I love this.”
Her rapid rise in the sport has been impressive. She competed in her first contest in 2019, which opened her eyes to the international scope of skateboarding and the level of competition. Despite her young age, Fay is no stranger to the thrill of contests. “I was getting really good, really quickly in Toronto. But I was like, oh, I didn’t know there’s actually a whole other world. But I loved doing the contest, and I still love doing contests. That feeling, the adrenaline.”
Outside of skateboarding, Fay has a unique ritual involving her pet ducks. She often skates with one of their feathers attached to her helmet. “The feather on my helmet is for luck. And I’ve been doing it for a while now,” she says. “I don’t know if it’s superstition, but it’s kind of lucky.”
As Fay DeFazio Ebert competes on the Olympic stage in Paris, her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere. Her dedication and love for the sport have already set her apart, and the world eagerly watches as this young talent continues to make her mark.
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