Olympic Gold Medalist Fights to Reopen Skate Park

The skate park that launched an Olympic champion is coming back to life, thanks to the young athletes who refuse to let it disappear.

Charlotte Worthington trained at RUSH Skate Park near Stroud, Gloucestershire before becoming the first woman to land a 360 backflip in competition and win Olympic BMX freestyle gold. Two other Olympians also honed their skills there: bronze medalist Declan Brooks and silver medalist Kieran Reilly.

The park closed in August 2021 to make way for redevelopment. For years, it looked like RUSH was gone forever.

But professional scooter rider Jay Sweet wasn't ready to give up. The 23-year-old from Dursley took over the charity working to reopen the park and immediately got to work cutting costs.

Sweet and his new trustee team slashed the project price from £2 million to just £1 million, an 80% reduction. They're now searching for a site and seeking investors, sponsors and grant funding.

"Rush made me the person I am today," said Sweet, currently ranked fourth in the UK in professional elite scootering. "If it wasn't for that park, I definitely wouldn't be at the level I am in my sport right now. I just want to give future generations the same chance."

Worthington agrees the park played a crucial role in her journey. "Rush played quite a big role in developing me as a rider and it eventually took me to winning a gold medal at the Olympics," she said.

The Ripple Effect

The park's closure hit the local community hard. Eighteen-year-old Freddie Aplin from Tetbury used to visit five times a week, not just to ride but to see friends.

When RUSH shut down, Aplin had to travel to Cardiff every weekend to find a similar facility. His parents worked full time and he couldn't drive, making the trips difficult.

Worthington believes local skate parks provide young people with something essential: a community of peers who share their passion. Sweet sees untapped potential all around him in Gloucestershire.

"I think there's a lot of talent in Gloucestershire," he said. "They just haven't got the facilities to shine, really."

Now those young athletes might get their chance. With costs under control and momentum building, RUSH Skate Park could soon give the next generation the same opportunities that created Olympic champions.