What goes around comes around: Roller skating’s retro appeal is fading by the minute. The sport’s rise in popularity has been punctuated by a parade of retirements in recent years.
This winter, former pro skaters, who often play a large role in the sport’s history, appear to have decided that it’s time to hang up their skates. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable skaters who retired in 2012.
The 1980s
1. Mike Tyson, Heavy Heavy, 6-foot-9
Tyson, who would go on to become one of the most feared men in the world, retired from professional skating in January 2012.
“I think it’s kind of hard to leave a sport you’ve been doing since you were five years old,” Tyson said at the time. “Skiing is the only sport where you can go skiing and skate at the same time…. It’s going to be kind of a sad day when I retire. I’m not going into any kind of depression.”
2. Joe Manchin, The Joe Manchin Story, 5-foot-5
Manchin was a veteran of both the 1980s and the 1990s. He was a three-time and two-time Olympian and one-time world champion.
“I always wanted to be a professional skater,” he said at the time of his retirement. “I think I’ll always be an Olympic skater. This is not a farewell. This is the start of a new career.”
3. Peter Nyk, Peter Nyk
He won the 1988 world championship and was the 2002 Olympic champion.
“I think it’s time to retire now. I just can’t take it anymore,” he said of his decision to retire.
The 1990s
1. Dan Joll, Dan Joll
The 1990s are remembered for Joll’s high-flying act on- and off-tape. He retired from professional skateboarding in 2008.
“I’m going to have to retire when my career is