Page 15 - Touchline Edition 40
P. 15

14                                                                                                            15
 Paris Olympics 2024                                                                               May 2024
            THE JOURNAL OF SPORT, LEISURE & RISK WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE


 Aussie Prospects   medalist in Tokyo and world indoor         breaststroke, adding to the intrigue of his



               champion, holds the Australian record
                                                               potential medal haul.
 for Paris Olympics   at 2.03 metres, while Patterson, the     On the women’s side, all eyes are on
               2022 world champion, has a best of
               2.02 metres. Logan Martin, the Gold
                                                               McIntosh, who will enter Paris just weeks
               Coast BMX freestyler, made history with
                                                               before her 18th birthday. With world
 2024  Tim Mottram,    Olympic gold in Tokyo and aims for a    records in the 400 IM and multiple world
               repeat in Paris, driven by unwavering
                                                               championships under her belt, McIntosh
 independent sports journalist
               determination and rigorous training.
                                                               is primed for success and is a promising
                                                               new athlete. Despite missing the 200
               Australia’s women’s pair rowing team,           IM at the 2023 Worlds, her programme
 There is something comforting about the Olympics. If your   composed of Annabelle McIntyre and   aligns for a strong showing in the short
 country is competing in a sport, you can justify hours of watching   Jessica Morrison, emerges as a top   medley next year. With the possibility of
               contender for Olympic gold. Despite
                                                               competing in five individual events and
 horse-dancing, synchronised swimming or squash. Patriotism is a   their initial setback at the Tokyo Games,   three relays, McIntosh could vie for an
 great way to excuse zoning out for hours, supporting an amateur   they’ve evolved into an intimidating   impressive eight medals, solidifying her
 sport that you will only ever watch every four years. Additionally   force, narrowly missing out on world   status as a rising star of the Games. While
 the Olympics is an outstanding opportunity to connect with   championship victory in Serbia. With   other contenders like Titmus, Ledecky,
               the additional preparation of the duo,
                                                               and McKeown are formidable, McIntosh’s
 members of your family with whom you have no common ground.   McIntryre and Morrison are sure to   versatility and prowess position her as
               be a force to be reckoned with at the           an exceptional contender for Olympic
               Olympics.                                       glory, intimidating competitors with
 That said, the Paris Olympics will also   Athletics Team is poised to rival the
 guarantee the big-ticket, stellar moments.   world’s best. Notable world champions   At the Paris Olympics, the intense   considerably more experience.
 The pool and the track are the real deal   such as Nina Kennedy, James Turner, and   rivalry between the United States and
 illuminating the grandiose nature of the   Maria Strong showcased their prowess,   Australia in the pool will captivate
 Olympics, and there the competition is   culminating in a golden finish to a stellar   audiences, especially after Australia’s   At the Paris Olympics,
 fierce. As a taster for the event, Touchline   year. Their journey began at the 2023   impressive showing at the 2023 World
 looks at Australia’s prospects for medals.  Chemist Warehouse Australian Summer of   Championships, taking the spotlight   the intense rivalry
 Athletics, which attracted record crowds                      between the United
 As the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic   and television viewers, setting the stage for   off of the international super power. As
               we anticipate this year’s showdown,
 Games draw near, Australia’s track and   their remarkable success.   it’s too early to predict a clear winner,   States and Australia in
 field athletes are making waves on the   with crucial data yet to be gleaned   the pool will captivate
 global stage, marking a breakthrough year   Tokyo Olympian Kennedy etched her name   from mid-season meets and upcoming
 highlighted by remarkable achievements   in history by sharing an iconic gold with   Olympic Trials. However, individual stars   audiences, especially
 at the World Championships and a vibrant   USA’s Katie Moon in the pole vault, while   are already emerging, with Frenchman   after Australia’s
 domestic season. Australia’s current track   Paralympic champion James Turner secured
 record of successes throughout this year   the sprint double in the 100m and 400m   Leon Marchand and Canadian Summer   impressive showing
 provides Australian spectators with insight   T36 categories. Meanwhile, Maria Strong   McIntosh poised to shine.  at the 2023 World
 into the growing potential of Australia’s   displayed her dominance in the 100m T72,
 sportsmanship.   leaving her competitors trailing behind to   Marchand’s dominance in the individual   Championships,
 claim gold. These stellar performances are   medley events over the past two years,   taking the spotlight
 With a record-breaking performance   a testament to the growing prowess of   coupled with his 200 metre butterfly
 at the World Athletics Championships   Australian athletes on the global stage.  title, positions him as a formidable force   off of the international
 in Budapest, where they clinched an   at his home Olympics. With expectations   super power.
 impressive six medals, and an additional   Australia has strong medal hopes in the   of at least two gold medals and three
 14 medals at the World Para Athletics   women’s high jump with Nicola Olyslagers   overall, the decision remains whether he’ll
 Championships in Paris, the Australian   and Eleanor Patterson. Olyslagers, a silver   compete in the 200m butterfly or 200m



 Back to contents
   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20