The Paris Olympics: The youngest athletes are just 11 years old
It has always been true that heroes emerge from youth, and the Paris Olympics are no exception.
On the Olympic stage representing the highest level of athletes, they will display their unique passion and vitality, and some athletes may even have the potential to become Olympic champions.
What is different about the young athletes who compete in the Olympics?
These five Olympic athletes may be able to answer that question.
Skateboarding: ZhengHaoHao (11 years old)
At just 11 years old, she is the youngest athlete on the Chinese delegation at the Paris Olympics. As a member of the Chinese skateboarding team, she will compete in the women's bowl event at the Paris Olympics.
She has always loved sports, according to her, "It feels like all the athletic genes in my family are on me."
She began learning to skateboard when she was young, and her dream was to compete in the Olympics. After her outstanding performance in the May Olympic qualifying series in Shanghai and the June Olympic qualifying series in Budapest, her world ranking has risen to 27th place. According to the rule that each national federation can only have up to three Olympic qualifying spots, she has secured her place in the Paris Olympics with her 21st place finish.
If she is able to participate in the Paris Olympics, she already has her plans in place: "I think I will go to the Eiffel Tower and check out what good skateparks they have there. There are a lot of French kids playing there, and I think it will be a lot of fun."
Skateboarding: Sky Brown (16 years old)
Skateboarding has become a gathering place for young athletes, not only boasting ZhengHaoHao, the youngest athlete at this year's Olympics, but also medal contender Sky Brown, who is only 16 years old.
British teenager Sky Brown's connection to skateboarding began at the age of 4; at the age of 8, Brown became the youngest skateboarder at the 2016 US Open; at the age of 13, Brown won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Even though she is participating in her second Olympics, Brown is still only 16 years old. However, the athlete has faced no small amount of difficulties, including accidentally fracturing her skull during training and recently suffering a torn medial collateral ligament in her knee. But despite these obstacles, Brown has never given up skateboarding or training.
She revealed her plans for the Paris Olympics: "I want that gold medal, it's a big goal, but I think I can do it."
Swimming: Dhinidhi Desinghu (14 years old)
As the Olympics draw near, her name is already well-known in India. This 14-year-old girl is the youngest member of the Indian delegation at this year's Olympics and will compete in the women's 200m freestyle event.
She first came into contact with swimming at the age of 6, when she was too afraid of water to even enter the pool. However, after seeing her parents swimming in the water, she gradually accepted the sport.
In 2023, she broke the Indian women's 200m freestyle record with a time of 2:04. The same year, she performed well in the women's 4x100m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle events at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Now, she has her sights set on the Paris Olympics and hopes to win India's first-ever medal in swimming.
Gymnastics: Hezly Rivera (16 years old)
After two intense qualifying sessions in Minneapolis, 16-year-old Hezly Rivera's impressive performances on the balance beam and high bar have secured her a place on the US Olympic gymnastics team.
Before the Olympic selection trials, she said she had no advantage over other athletes and her goal was to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But it was this mindset that led to an unexpected surprise.
Looking at her young teammate, US gymnastics legend Simone Biles said, "Shouldn't we teach her how to drive before she goes to Paris? Oh my gosh! She's so young, so adorable, so smart, and so beautiful." We are proud of her selection for the team, and we are thrilled to be able to pass on our experience to her."
Track and Field: Quincy Wilson (16)
Like any other athlete trying to make it to the Olympic stage, and 16-year-old Quincy Wilson has been under a lot of pressure as he competes in the men's 400-meter Olympic trials. But in the end, he finished in 6th place, narrowly missing out on a spot in the men's 400-meter race. However, he will be competing in the men's 4x400-meter relay.
While he didn't make it into the individual event, he has already broken the 18-and-under 400-meter world record twice, a record that had stood for 42 years. If Wilson does make it to the Olympic stage, he will be the youngest American track and field male athlete in history.
And the soon-to-be senior at Blair High School in Maryland, has a hobby that is no different from anyone else's: playing video games with his friends.
