While most Aussie teenagers are returning to school this week, Chloe Covell is getting ready to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
While admitting to some pre-Games nerves, the 14-year-old skateboarding prodigy couldn’t hide her excitement ahead of her Olympic debut in Paris on Sunday 28 July.
“I'm definitely a little nervous because it's the biggest competition and there's just famous people walking around everywhere, but also very excited,” Chloe said.
“I got all my gear, I tried it all on, it’s a really cool experience to just be here with everybody.”
Chloe comes into the Games as an athlete to watch in the street event.
In 2024, she finished eighth and fifth in the two-legged Olympic Qualifier Series, as well as claiming three street league skateboarding event wins, including one in Paris.
This came off the back of two successful years for the Queenslander, with a World Championship silver and X Games gold in 2023 and a silver and bronze in 2022.
While that might make her a target in the eyes of many, Chloe doesn’t see it that way.
“We're all really good friends,” she said.
“It's more of a friendship than a rivalry.
“When we're all skating together, we're all just having the best time and hyping each other up to try and send tricks all together.”
Time spent on her board is integral for Chloe, who relishes any opportunity she can to skate.
Most of her training is on the board with a few gym sessions mixed with recovery elements such as leg compressions and ice baths taking place during the week.
Even her downtime is spent skating, with Chloe adding that she is excited to try out some local skate spots in Paris when she can.
Chloe is part of a nine-strong skateboarding team in Paris, an increase of four from Tokyo when the sport made its debut.
Victorian skater Shane O’Neill is one of three returning Tokyo Olympians in Paris, and like Chloe will compete in the street event.
The seasoned 34-year-old believes Chloe comes into her first Games well prepared, with very limited advice needed to be given to her.
“She has it covered,” Shane said.
“She does amazing in every event. As soon as she gets going it’s just business as usual.
“I think she knows what to do.”
Women’s street preliminaries begin at 8pm AEST on 28 July at the Place de la Concorde, with the final beginning at 1am AEST on 29 July.
This article was originally written for The Australian Olympic Team. You can read the published version here
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