1. Noemie Fox, canoe slalom, age 2032: 35
Legendary paddler Jess Fox has already stated that she wants to compete in Los Angeles in 2028. For Noemie, who won gold in kayak cross in Paris, it will therefore be difficult to compete in the individual kayak or canoe events, as only one competitor per country will be allowed.
But things could look different in 2032. Jess will then be 38 years old and the younger Fox could finally step out of her sister’s shadow in the single canoe slalom.
2. Peyton Craig, athletics, age in 2032: 27
There is a lot of excitement in athletics circles about sprinting sensations Torrie Lewis and Calab Law, both fresh out of high school, but another teenager was able to boost his reputation at the Paris Games.
Craig produced two outstanding runs in the 800m, setting a personal best in the semi-final and narrowly missing out on the national record and a place in the final. The 19-year-old easily outperformed fellow Australians Peter Bol and Joseph Deng – both of whom had a difficult preparation – and is set to be one of the most recognisable names in Australian athletics in the coming decade.
3. Keefer Wilson, Skateboarding, Age in 2032: 25
Two-time gold medalist Keegan Palmer said he wants to compete in the Games in his home country in 2032, when he will be 29, but he also fears it will be difficult to stay ahead of the next generation in the booming sport of skateboarding.
Wilson, four years younger than Palmer, also reached the park final in Paris and has been predicted for great things since his X Games debut at age 11. He or even Kieran Woolley – another Paris competitor who will be 28 in Brisbane in 2032 – could be medal contenders by then.
4. Oceana Mackenzie, climbing, age in 2032: 30
At 22, the German-born Melburnian achieved an excellent seventh place in the bouldering/lead final in Paris. Sport climbing was introduced in Tokyo, but in Paris it was split into two competitions, with a separate medal for speed.
While Mackenzie’s result was sensational, her result in the bouldering portion was even better. She is an expert in this format, which relies on problem-solving and decision-making, and was only beaten by the overall gold and silver medalists in Paris. If the Australian stays true to the sport, she is likely to improve, and if Brisbane splits the sport climbing program into three medals to recognize the different disciplines, her prospects are even better.
5. Brock Batty, trampoline, age in 2032: 25
The 17-year-old is the youngest trampoliner from any country to compete at an Olympic Games since the sport was first held in Sydney in 2000. And Batty had chances to reach the final of the eight athletes before falling during competition in Paris. The Frankston teenager has won several medals in his age group and will be in his mid-20s in Brisbane, still the best age for the event.
6. Chloe Covell, Skateboarding, Age in 2032: 22
Australia’s youngest member of the Paris team, Arisa Trew, kept her promise to win gold in the Skateboarding Park discipline, but Covell – who qualified for the final in fourth place and was considered a medal contender – had a tough time in the Street event. Covell has already confirmed for Los Angeles 2028, and the Tweed Heads teenager will only be 22 when Brisbane 2032 rolls around.
There are even younger skaters showing Olympic talent. At nine years old, Mia Kretzer became the youngest ever X-Games gold medalist last month. If the sport stays on the Brisbane schedule, and possibly the vert discipline is added to park and street, it could be a major source of medals for Australia.
7. Ruby Pass, Gymnastics, Age in 2032: 25
The 17-year-old emerged as Australia’s best gymnast this year following Georgia Godwin’s injury and in Paris became the youngest Australian in 24 years to compete in the event at the Games. Pass delivered, posting the third-best result by an Australian in the all-around. She qualified for the final in 14th place and improved her scores on two of the four apparatus to finish the Games in 13th place. No Australian has placed highly in the last 20 years. Given Godwin’s success in her mid-20s, Pass could go into her home Olympics in 2032 as a genuine medal contender.
8. Jaclyn Barclay, swimming, age in 2032: 25
The youngest member of the Dolphins in Paris, the 17-year-old made the most of Kaylee McKeown’s decision not to compete in the World Championships in Qatar this year to secure silver in the 200m backstroke. There were high hopes that Barclay would continue to progress in Paris, but she missed out on the semi-finals in her event. Her personal best would have been enough for fifth place in the final, and the Brisbane-born swimmer is expected to play a key role in the swim team for years to come.
Other swimmers in Paris who are likely to be competing in Brisbane include 18-year-old Olivia Wunsch, who won gold as a preliminary swimmer in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, and of course three-time gold medalist Mollie O’Callaghan, who will be just 28 years old in 2032.
