The ages of Olympic athletes competing for medals at the Paris Games exemplify the notion that age truly is just a number.
A competitive drive is evident in both young and older athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games, with individuals from diverse generations competing for gold.
This year’s Summer Games in Paris features the youngest athlete, hailing from China.
More than 50 years separate the oldest athlete competing at the 2024 Summer Games from the youngest. (Zhe Ji/Getty Images; Musall/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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Zheng Haohao, who is 11 years old, is a skateboarder entered in the park event. Not only is she the youngest competitor this year, but she is also China’s youngest athlete to ever compete in the Olympic Games, as reported by The Independent.
This young skateboarder developed an interest in the sport just four years ago and began competing in international events last year. She now performs on the world stage at the 2024 Olympic Games.
“To me, competition is just a chance to gather with my good friends,” Zheng expressed in an interview with CCTV, according to Reuters. “I know over 10 of the world’s top 20 skateboarders.”
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“It’s like we’re playing a fun game. Everyone must showcase their best performance.”
Zheng Haohao is an 11-year-old skateboarder participating in the 2024 Olympic Games. (He Canling/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Historically, the youngest athlete to compete in the Summer Olympics was Dimitrios Loundras from Greece. He was just 10 years old when he earned a bronze medal in gymnastics at the 1896 Athens Olympics.
The youngest female athlete was 11-year-old Luigina Giavotti, who participated on Italy’s gymnastics team at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, according to NBC.
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The oldest athlete taking part this year is over 50 years older than Haohao. Equestrian Juan Antonio Jiménez of Spain, aged 65, is aiming for a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Juan Antonio Jiménez, 65, of Spain is the oldest athlete competing in this year’s Olympics. (Jenny Musall/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Jiménez is participating in his third Olympic Games, having made his debut in the 2000 Sydney Games.
In 2004, he secured a silver medal in Athens.
There is an even older equestrian at the Olympic Games this year, although she is unlikely to compete.
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Mary Hanna, a 69-year-old from Australia, is an AP athlete, meaning she is a non-competing athlete who can step in if another competitor is injured or unable to compete for any reason.
On July 11, Hanna shared a video of herself training with her horse on Instagram, expressing her enthusiasm for making an Olympic appearance for the seventh time.
“Getting excited now,” Hanna posted. “We are ready for whatever unfolds. Training hard for the Paris Olympics. So looking forward to supporting our team.”
The record for the oldest athlete ever to compete in the Summer Olympics is held by Oscar Swahn, who was nearly 73 years old when he competed in shooting at the 1920 Antwerp Games. He qualified for the 1924 Olympics in Paris at the age of 76 but did not participate.
Team USA’s youngest athlete at the 2024 Olympic Games is gymnast Hezly Rivera, who is 16. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The oldest female athlete on record is Lorna Johnstone from Great Britain, who participated in both team and individual equestrian events during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
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The youngest athlete for Team USA this year is gymnast Hezly Rivera, currently 16 years old. This marks Rivera’s debut Olympics.
The oldest athlete representing Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics is equestrian Steffen Peters, who is 59 years old, returning for his sixth Olympic Games with three medals to his name.
