2024 PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES | PREVIEW

The best from the west are ready to ignite the Olympic stage as they go for gold and claim the ultimate sporting prize. Joining a powerhouse Australian team of 75, the five West Australians will be looking to capitalise when the eyes of the nation tune in.  

Set to unfold over 11-days of competition, Australia’s World Champion Nina Kennedy will lead the way as she looks to cap off a fairytale few years and claim gold.  

Kennedy made global headlines in 2023 when she shared the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest alongside America’s Katie Moon. Kennedy ended 2023 with the World Lead and an Australian record of 4.91m and has returned in 2024 with a fighting spirit.  

Claiming four consecutive wins on the international stage in 2024, including Monaco and London Diamond League wins over the last month, Kennedy looks formidable. The West Australian is well placed in the 2024 rankings with a season best of 4.88m and is second to Britain’s Molly Caudrey who cleared 4.92m earlier in the year in France. However, Kennedy’s attempts at 4.95m at the most recent Diamond League were a clear signal the Australian is ready to go higher in Paris.  

Australian underdog Kurtis Marschall will look to cause a stir in the Men’s Pole Vault after bouncing back from an ankle injury sustained earlier this year.  

The three-time Olympian made a statement when he returned to jumping only three weeks ago, clearing 5.75m at the Paris Diamond League before backing it up the following week in Germany, clearing 5.83m. 

In 2023, Marschall became the fifth Australian man to medal in Pole Vault at the World Athletics Championships, sharing bronze with USA’s Christopher Nilsen, with a best of 5.95m. 

Even after bouncing back from injury, Marschall maintains fifth in the world rankings and will be in serious contention for a spot on the podium when he steps out onto Stade de France.  Marschall will aim to replicate that performance when he goes head-to-head with Nilsen and World Record holder Armand Duplantis. 

Australia’s leading race walker Declan Tingay will open Australia’s Paris 2024 campaign when he lines up for the 20km Race Walk set for the picturesque streets of Paris on August 1.  

The former Southern Districts athlete will line up against world number one, Perseus Karlstrom from Sweden and Spanish Product Alvaro Martin when he competes in Paris at his second Olympic Games. Tingay is currently ranked eleventh in the world after placing eighth at the World Athletics Championships and will look to replicate the personal best performance of 1:18.30 when he takes to the streets of Paris.  

Australian fan favourite Peter Bol will face a tough field in the Men’s 800m and need to dig deep when he steps on to the track. Returning for his third Olympic Games, Bol’s fighting spirit will undoubtably be on display come August 7 when he starts his campaign.  

Returning from injury, Bol will aim to replicate his Tokyo 2020 heroics amongst a fast field of athletes. Eight athletes have set sub-1:43’ runs in July, meaning Bol will need to find a new gear to fight the likes of Alegria’s Djamel Sedjati, Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi and France’s hometown hero, Gabriel Tual who have all secured 1:41’s in the last fortnight.  

New kid on the block Alanah Yukich will make her Olympic Debut after a herculean effort racing around the globe in a last-minute attempt to qualify. Training out of the US, the Kingsway kid will need to bring the same fight to Paris that she displayed when she ran three races, in three days across three different countries, in the three fastest 400m Hurdle times she has ever run.  

Yukich has found her form at the right time and has taken off three seconds from her personal best this year. Competing in one of the most anticipated races of the Games, Yukich will line up against USA’s World Record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Netherlands’ Femke Bol, both fresh off joining the sub 51 club in July.  

While he won't be in the green and gold, Perth-born Sasha Zhoya is sure to provide some entertainment for the host nation. Representing France in the 110m Hurdles, the former Melville Roar athlete and World Under 20 record holder is among the host nations best medal chances. Zhoya’s showmanship has captivated European fans and has delivered an impressive top eight finish at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, as well as a win at the recent Monaco Diamond League. Launching his Paris campaign in Perth earlier this year, Zhoya is primed to battle USA’s Grant Holloway for the top spot.  

The Australian Athletics Team will begin their Olympic campaign on August 1, with the commencement of the Athletics program. You can stay up to date with all the athletics action from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games via Athletics West Facebook and Instagram pages. 

To watch all the athletes in action at the Paris Olympics, head to 9NOW. 

For more information on how you can get involved in athletics, contact Athletics West on 08 6272 0480 or email us at admin@athleticswest.com.au. 

By David Smith & Imogen McDonald, Athletics West 

Posted on 29 August 2024