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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Lucy Arundell

The little athletes believing they can 'take on the world' after Paris

Discus in hand, javelin on the bench and hurdles ready on the oval, the eyes of Canberra's little athletes are fixed on the Brisbane Olympics.

There's thousands of children like them at swimming pools, skateparks, hockey fields and bouldering gyms across the country, ready to take their shot at sport's biggest competition.

The next generation of Australian stars are more determined than ever as Australia's Olympic team celebrates its highest gold medal tally in history.

Australia won four gold medals on a record-breaking day in Paris on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The total gold tally is now 18 with more events to come, eclipsing the previous high of 17 from Athens in 2004 and Tokyo in 2021.

It is set to spark Olympic dreams on the runway to the Brisbane Games in 2032, so think about this: Brisbane's version of 14-year-old skateboard sensation Arisa Trew is a six-year-old right now.

Canberra's future Olympians, from left to right, Walter Stewart, Zane Stewart, Lilah Charman, Elsie Charman, and Hazel Charman. Picture by Gary Ramage

The Brisbane Keegan Palmer (21) is 13. The Brisbane Nina Kennedy is 19.

That's why marathon legend and former AIS director Robert de Castella says we're on the cusp of a golden generation.

"You have to believe that you can take on the world, and I think the demonstration of that across the games is going to motivate a whole new generation," he said.

"The 2032 kids are the ones that are watching these incredible performances and wanting to emulate it."

The Olympics to end all Olympics

President of Corroboree Athletics Garry Stevens said the record-breaking games had created a "real buzz" among Canberra's children.

"I've got my own kids and they've been glued to the TV every night," he said

"You could see the wonder and the awe in the faces of the kids, just watching that and that's all they talk about.

For some of the young athletes at Corroboree Athletics, they're dreaming of running as fast and jumping as high as their heroes.

Hazel Charman, 7, wants to beat her sprinting PB, while her older sister Lilah, 12, wants to be as good at high jump as Aussie medallists Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson.

Hazel Charman, 7, wants to be an Olympic sprinter. Picture by Gary Ramage

Eight-year-old Walter Stewart said he might not be as fast as Usain Bolt - because he's not Usain Bolt, he made clear - but he still wants to work on his sprints for Brisbane.

Australia has had a dream 2024 Olympics, winning 18 gold medals to day 14 of the games. The Olympic team has smashed the previous best tally of 17 gold in Athens 2004 and Tokyo 2021.

The swim team has come out with an impressive seven gold medals, supported by Olympian great Emma McKeon and backstroke queen Kaylee McKeown. The Fox sisters Jessica and Noemie completed a gold hat-trick in canoeing and kayaking, while Australia's youngest Olympian Arisa Trew skated to gold at the ripe age of 14.

Race to Brisbane begins

While there might be a world of speed and strength between the children and the Olympians, it doesn't stop the little athletes comparing times and heights against their own.

"What the kids are doing is what the professionals are doing," Stevens said.

Brothers Zane and Walter Stewart, right, practicing their Olympic poses. Picture by Gary Ramage

"It's very relatable for them, and they can do a direct comparison with what they do compared to them and see how hard they have to try to get to that point."

It's all on track for another record-breaking games in Brisbane in 2032, de Castella said.

"You always do better at your home Olympics, so I have no doubt we'll have great results in Brisbane," he said.

And it's this age group of kids, the 10- to 14-year-olds, who will peak at the Brisbane games, Stevens said.

"There's no reason they can't be there if they put the effort in," he said.

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