Bruno Pugh
The Olympic Games have always been a stage where the world’s finest athletes bring unparalleled skill and determination to the forefront. As we anticipate the grandeur of the Paris Olympics, the spotlight turns to an extraordinary spectrum of competitors. With young talents barely out of their teens and seasoned veterans defying the constraints of age, this time, we had it all. So, here we present the youngest and oldest athletes at the Olympics in 2024.
Zheng Haohao
At just 11 years old, Zheng Haohao is rewriting history as the youngest-ever Chinese Olympian. Starting skateboarding at age 7, she soared through the ranks to secure her spot at the Paris Olympics. Though she was eliminated in the preliminaries with a score of 63.19, Zheng’s journey continues to amaze, proving that age is no barrier to greatness.
Vareeraya Sukasem
At the opening ceremony, Vareeraya Sukasem, a 12-year-old skateboarder from Thailand, was the flag bearer. Her skateboarding journey began at age 7 when her mother introduced her to a local skate park in Bangkok. From those early days to the global stage, Vareeraya’s rapid ascent in the sport highlights her talent and dedication
Heili Sirviö
Meet 13-year-old Heili Sirviö, a Finnish-Australian skateboarder who turned pandemic boredom into Olympic glory. She discovered skateboarding during COVID-19 and has since skyrocketed to compete in the women’s park event in Paris. With a score of 88.89, Heili finished fifth, just missing out on a medal but proving she’s a rising star to watch.
Fay De Fazio Ebert
Canada’s youngest national skateboarder, Fay De Fazio Ebert, has been making waves since qualifying for the team at just 11. Since her international debut in 2019, she’s racked up accolades, including a gold medal at the Pan Am Games. At the 2024 Olympics, Fay scored 51.82 in her final run, but a late fall kept her out of the finals.
Sky Brown
As the youngest pro skateboarder ever and a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, this British-Japanese star is making waves in skateboarding and surfing. After winning “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors,” she took home bronze at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, proving she’s a force to be reckoned with.
Hezly Rivera
She is an American artistic gymnast who’s a key player in the “Golden Girls,” the gold medal-winning team at the 2024 Olympics. Hezly also snagged silver at the 2023 Junior World Championships. As the youngest athlete in the entire US delegation at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Hezly’s future is as bright as her medal
Quincy Wilson
Quincy Wilson, at the age of 16, shattered records with the fastest under-18 indoor and outdoor 400-meter times, representing Maryland’s Bullis School. He’s also the American high school record holder for indoor and outdoor 400 meters. Moreover, he made history as the youngest American track & field Olympian ever.
Andy Macdonald
A British-American skateboarding icon, he has shattered records with the most X Games medals in vert skateboarding and has claimed victory in the World Cup Skateboarding competition eight times. Andy’s Olympic participation at the age of 50 shows his career built on unmatched skill.
Nino Salukvadze
Nino Salukvadze holds the record for the most Olympic appearances by a female athlete and is tied with Canadian show jumper Ian Millar for the most by any athlete. At just 19, she clinched gold and silver at the 1988 Olympics while competing for the Soviet Union. Now, at 55, she’s back representing Georgia for her 10th Olympic Games.
Carl Hester
At 57, Carl is making his seventh Olympic appearance for Team GB. Starting as the youngest rider on the British equestrian team in 1992, he has evolved into a celebrated figure in dressage. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, his performance on Fiona Bigwood’s horse, Fame, earned him a score of 77.35% and a third-place finish in his group.
Zhiying Zeng
Affectionately called the “table tennis Grandma,” she represented Chile in Paris this year. Born in 1966, she was a national junior champion by age 12 and joined the senior team at age 16. Her international fame soared after she earned her Olympic spot through a qualifying tournament. Now, she maintains a strict regimen, training three hours daily.
Steffen Peters
A German-born equestrian representing the United States, Steffen has competed in five Olympic Games and earned two team bronze medals and one team silver. His Olympic journey began in Atlanta in 1996, and now, at 59, he’s making his sixth appearance for Team USA.
Mario Deslauriers
His remarkable Olympic journey saw a Canadian equestrian competing in both the 1984 and 1988 Games. After a 33-year hiatus, he returned to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and is now back for the Paris 2024 Games, competing in the Team Jumping Event. At 59, he’s on a quest for his first Olympic medal, four decades after his debut.
Pius Schweizer
Representing Switzerland at the Olympics for another go, this 61-year-old show jumping veteran has already made his mark. He won a bronze medal in 2008 after a dramatic disqualification twist and also competed in 2012. With years of experience under his belt, he’s back to prove that age only improves his skill and determination.
Juan Antonio Jiménez
The last one on our list is the oldest competitor in the Olympics—65-year-old Spanish equestrian Juan Antonio Jiménez. Juan is proving that age is just a number. Having competed in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, where he won a silver medal in dressage, he is back to dazzle once again.
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