The Paris Olympics 2024 is a stage where youth and experience converge. While some athletes are just entering their athletic prime, others are defying the passage of time.
“Age is just a number,” they say, and the Olympians at the Paris Olympics 2024 are proving it true! As the Games return to Paris for the first time in a century, athletes from around the world are converging on the French capital, each striving for the coveted gold medal.
With around 10,500 competitors taking part in 329 events across 32 sports until August 11, the pursuit of Olympic gold represents the pinnacle of achievement. The dedication and effort required to reach this level are immense, and these athletes are pushing their limits to turn their dreams into reality.
While many are at the height of their careers, combining years of experience with extensive preparation, there are also those who are just beginning their journeys and others approaching the final stages of their athletic endeavors.
Who is the oldest athlete at the Paris Olympics 2024?
The oldest athlete at the Paris Olympics 2024 is 69-year-old Australian equestrian Mary Hanna. She will be just four months shy of her 70th birthday. Although she might not compete in Paris as she is an AP athlete (non-competing athlete) and on standby, Hanna’s Olympic journey began in Atlanta in 1996. Despite her extensive career, she has yet to win a medal.
The oldest athlete confirmed to compete at the Paris Olympics 2024 is Spanish equestrian Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo, who is 65 years old. This will be his third Olympic appearance, following his debut in Sydney in 2000. Jimenez Cobo won a silver medal in team dressage at the Athens 2004 Olympics but has not competed in the Games since then.
From Team GB, the oldest competitor is 57-year-old Carl Hester. He will make history by equaling the record of seven Olympic Games set by fellow equestrian legend Nick Skelton.
Who is the youngest athlete at the Paris Olympics 2024?
The youngest athlete at the Paris Olympics 2024 is China’s Zheng Haohao, who will be just 11 years and 11 months old. The skateboarder will compete in the park event, marking a significant milestone as she becomes China’s youngest-ever athlete to participate in the Olympic Games. Zheng started skateboarding only four years ago.
Earlier this month, Zheng Haohao shared with Reuters that, for her, “competition is just to get together with my good friends.”
Skateboarding made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games, and other young competitors will join Zheng at Paris Olympics 2024. Among them are 12-year-old Vareeraya Sukasem from Thailand and Sky Brown from Great Britain, who at 16 already has a bronze medal from Tokyo.
How did skateboarder Zheng Haohao qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024?
Skateboarder Zheng Haohao, at just 11 years and 11 months old, is the youngest Olympian at Paris Olympics 2024. Her qualification for the Games, achieved only four years after she began skateboarding, highlights both her remarkable talent and the hard work she has put in.
Although there is no official age limit for the Olympics, some sports have their own restrictions. Skateboarding does not, but safety measures are in place for younger athletes, and whether they stay in the Olympic Village can depend on their countries’ policies.
Haohao’s path to qualification was dramatic. During the 2023 World Skateboarding Tour, she faced potential elimination after a slip in the second round dropped her score from 63.49 to 43.84 points. Taking a bold risk, she added two highly challenging tricks, including a 540 flip, to her routine. This gamble paid off with a score of 72.6 points in the third round, securing her place and making her China’s youngest Olympian.
