Australian skateboarders Chloe Covell, 14, and Shane O’Neill, 34, may have arrived to compete at Paris 2024 with a 20-year age gap between them but one thing remains true for them both: they can’t wait to get going.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday (22 July), excitement was the prevailing theme for the pair ahead of the street events beginning later this week.
“I’m definitely a little nervous because it’s the biggest stage, biggest competition and there’s just famous people walking around everywhere, but also very excited,” Olympic debutant Covell said.
“I’ve got all my gear. I tried it all on and yeah, it’s really cool experience just to be here with everybody.”
“We can’t wait,” O’Neill, who will be making his second Olympic appearance in Paris, agreed. “I don’t really know the space yet, but we’re going today, I think, in a few hours, so I’m really excited to see how it is down there.”
With its nine-strong skateboarding team headlined by O’Neill, Covell and Olympic park champion Keegan Palmer, Australia will have high hopes for its skaters in Paris.
Covell, in particular, has been touted as one to watch following a rapid rise since breaking out onto the international circuit over two years ago.
At 13, she became the youngest women’s street gold medallist in X Games history after having already been the youngest athlete to win two X Games medals before the age of 13. Since then, she’s added other prestigious titles to her name including a world silver medal in 2023.
Though there might be a significant buzz around her, not least given her age, an easygoing Covell is not paying too much mind to the big occasion.
Reconnecting with her friends, skating local spots and simply relaxing are all on the agenda for the teenager while in Paris. And as for the contest itself, she plans to stick to the process to keep any nerves at bay.
“I kind of just, stretch, warm up, make sure I have good preparation the night before. And in the morning, I just make sure everything is planned out.”
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