I may not totally buy into astrology, but as a Taurus, I understand the power of stubborn determination. When harnessed correctly, it transforms into perseverance. Combined with my DIY spirit and the unwavering support from my community, it made my dream of attending the Paris Olympic Games a reality.
I have worked for eight years photographing skaters, particularly those who don’t usually get mainstream attention – women, LGBTQ+ and/or racialized athletes. But because I don’t work for a news agency like Reuters or Getty, it was hard for me to access the Olympics.
The Paris Olympics marked a historic moment – it was the first time the sport would be showcased on a grand stage in front of a live, global audience (the Tokyo Olympics was a closed-doors event due to COVID-19). After exhausting every avenue to secure media accreditation, I was nonetheless determined to be there to document the skateboarding events.
After reaching out to my skateboarding community, I was fortunate to receive standby airplane tickets from one friend and a place to stay in Paris from another. I bought some event tickets and others were given to me by friends. As if the experience couldn’t get any better, at the airport, I found myself booked onto the same flight as Team Canada heading to Paris, including Fay De Fazio Ebert, the youngest and only Canadian Olympian woman competing in skateboarding. It sure felt like a sign from the universe showing me I was on the right path.
In Toronto on July 24, Fay De Fazio Ebert gets ready to board her flight to Paris, the same flight Ms. Ibarra took.
The day finally arrived: I was in Paris, France, standing at La Concorde’s “urban park,” ready to witness a historic moment for skateboarding. As I looked around, I couldn’t hold back my tears. The journey to get here had been filled with countless challenges and setbacks. As a photographer who doesn’t fit the usual mold, striving to make it in the industry, I often feel like an afterthought—overlooked, questioned, and constantly needing to prove myself. Regardless of whether I’m included, I show up because I want to document history and be a part of it. I want to show others that, despite the challenges, change is possible, driven by the collective efforts of many.
While covering the events, I couldn’t help but notice the scarcity of women and people of colour behind the lens. This year, the Olympics claimed gender parity among athletes, but I couldn’t help but wonder – can we achieve the same in media?
Documenting my journey to the Paris Olympics was not just about capturing the event itself; it was about contributing to a narrative that includes people like me who are often underrepresented in media. Our stories matter, and they deserve to be told by those who live them.
The skateboarding track was buzzing with adrenaline on the first day of events at Place de la Concorde, a historic plaza on the right bank of the Seine.
Samiya Smith and Briana King celebrate the spirit of skateboarding together. The sport returns to the Olympics at Los Angeles in 2028.
The Paris dispatch: More from Globe Sports
The Decibel podcast
One of Canada’s standout stars at the Paris Olympics was swimmer Summer McIntosh, who won a medal in each of the four individual races she competed in. Reporter Grant Robertson spoke with The Decibel about how she approached these Games and which other swimmers made it to the podium with her. Subscribe for more episodes.
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