Age is just a number to these Olympians
Published on
06 Aug 2024
Published by
The Straits Times
Meet a 58-year-old Games debutant, a 62-year-old showjumper who is the second oldest athlete at Paris 2024 and a 55-year-old who is competing in his fifth Olympics.
Veteran table tennis player Zeng Zhiying, 58, aims to compete in 2028 Olympics
To the world, Zeng “Tania” Zhiying is the Chilean table tennis player who has become a hit in Paris after making her Olympic debut at 58.
But for Felipe Aravena, Zeng is “just my mum”.
The 23-year-old was with six other family members and friends in the South Paris Arena on July 27 to cheer her on. And while Zeng lost 4-1 to Lebanon’s Mariana Sahakian in her opening match, Aravena, who is the younger of her two sons, was still beaming with pride.
US rower Meghan Musnicki’s love for the sport keeps her going for 4th Olympics at 41
Rowing has an inexplicable pull on Meghan Musnicki.
On a scorching morning in late July, the 41-year-old found herself in a boat at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, competing alongside United States teammates like Margaret Hedeman, who is 18 years her junior.
It was not always the plan for her to be in Paris for her fourth Olympics. After a heart-breaking campaign in Tokyo, where she missed out a podium spot for the first time in three outings, she retired from the sport.
Veteran equestrian athletes Jose Larocca and Rolf-Goran Bengtsson still riding strong
On a regular work day, Argentinian Jose Larocca, an executive director at commodity giant Trafigura Groups, is usually dressed in a suit and tie.
At Paris 2024, the 55-year-old has traded his office wear for a hunting cap, riding jacket and breeches, competing with his horse Finn Lente at the Palace of Versailles Arena.
The veteran showjumper is competing in his fifth Olympics and does not plan to stop anytime.
Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Reproduced with permission.
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