Meet the 11-Year-Old Prodigy: The Youngest Olympian in History

The youngest Olympian competing in Paris was born during the London Olympics in 2012.

WASHINGTON — The Olympic Games bring together athletes from across the globe, transcending generational boundaries. The 2024 Paris Olympics will feature competitors of varying ages, highlighting a significant 54-year age span between the youngest and oldest Olympians. 

This year’s youngest athlete is 11-year-old Chinese skater Zheng Haohao, who was born just before the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. She will be showcasing her skills in the women’s skateboarding events, one of the newest additions to the Olympic roster. 

Closer to home, the youngest member of Team USA is 16-year-old gymnast Hezly Rivera. Rivera, part of the celebrated U.S. women’s gymnastics team, secured a gold medal in the team event alongside noted athletes Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Jordan Chiles. 

In stark contrast, the oldest competitor in Paris is Spain’s 65-year-old equestrian, Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo. Having first competed in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Cobo continues to defy age-related stereotypes in sports. 

However, he might not hold this title for long. Australian equestrian rider Mary Hanna, who is 69, is set to compete as a non-competing reserve. Should circumstances necessitate, she could become the second-oldest Olympic medalist. 

Team USA’s oldest athlete for Paris 2024 is 59-year-old equestrian Steffen Peters. NBC, citing data from the Olympic statistics site OlyMADMen, reports Peters as the oldest U.S. Olympian since 1936, a year when the Games also featured art competitions.