The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are off to a roaring start following a spectacular opening ceremony, sparking a palpable excitement across the globe as we tune into spectacular feats of athleticism and anticipate thrilling moments of competition to come.

Amidst all the Olympic fever, we had the privilege of speaking with four remarkable Australian Olympians who are poised to make their mark in this year’s Games, bringing you an insider’s perspective on the preparation, passion, and perseverance that it takes to reach the pinnacle of their sport.

Alice Arnott, 26, Hockey

Image credit: @alice_arnott
Born and raised in Tamworth, NSW, Alice picked up hockey at the age of 12 and hasn’t looked back ever since. Named player of the tournament at the Australian U-18 Hockey Championships in 2016 with a total of nine goals scored, she then debuted for the Australian Women’s National U21 team, the Jillaroos, in 2018. Called into the Hockeyroos squad in 2023, she has since earned Player of the Match twice out of 4 Hockeyroo wins, securing her spot in the squad for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

What inspired you to take up your chosen sport?

I started playing because all my friends were playing hockey at school, and it looked like a fun thing to do. I actually started off as a runner when I was really little, and I just missed that team aspect — being with a group of friends, supporting each other, and enjoying the highs and lows with them. I wanted to take up a team sport, so I tried hockey and just loved it.

Who is your Olympic hero and why?

I would say Simone Biles is my Olympic hero, and someone I’ve been keeping my eye out for in the Olympic Village because I really want to see her. I think that she epitomizes strength and courage, and she goes out there and performs regardless of the setbacks and anything that’s going on in her life. I just think that she’s incredible, she’s amazing. She has obviously had so much success in her career, but at the same time she always puts herself first, which I feel is really important.

What advice would you give to aspiring athletes?

Embrace and enjoy the journey, whatever yours may look like. For a long time I got caught up in expecting things to happen because it happened for everyone else. I’m 26 and I only made my debut for the Hockeyroos last year, and this is my first Olympic cycle, but there’s girls on my team who have been to three Olympics and they’re the same age as me. Every journey is different, and it’s not going to be the same. Some people may have it tougher, some people may have it easier, but your journey is yours alone, so embrace it for what it is!

Claire Colwill, 22, Hockey

Image credit: @claire.colwill

Growing up in Mackay in North Queensland, Claire’s journey with hockey kicked off when she was just 4 years old, inspired by her mum who first got her into the game. With a natural talent for the sport evident since her youth, by the age of 10 she had made the U12 Queensland School Sport Team, and went on to represent QLD at U13, U15, U16, U18 and open level. In 2022, at age 18, Claire made her debut for the Hockeyroos, the Australian women's national field hockey team, and has since represented Australia in Women’s World Cups and Commonwealth Games as one of their youngest members to date.

What’s your greatest sporting achievement?

My greatest sporting achievement was probably in 2022, it was an awesome year. We had the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and before that we had the World Cup. We were bronze medalists at the World Cup and silver medalists at the Commonwealth Games.

What would you tell your future self if you won a medal?

Something I'd tell myself if I was to win a medal would definitely be reminding myself about where I came from and starting out on the grass fields back in Mackay with all of my mates around me, really reflecting on how I got there.

What advice would you give to aspiring athletes?

If I was to give one piece of advice to younger athletes, it would certainly be to find something other than sport to keep your mind active, whether it's music or maybe an alternate sport that you're not as competitive with, reading, anything! Just to be able to switch off from the sporting community and dial into something else.

Margo Joseph-Kuo, 19, Artistic Swimming

Image credit: @margo.josephkuo

Fitzroy native, Margo, first got into artistic swimming at Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar and began competing professionally in 2018 at the tender age of 14. With Australian National Championships and Artistic Swimming World Cups under her belt, Margo was also part of the Australian team that secured a top-10 finish in the Team Free at the 2023 World Aquatic Championships, allowing them to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

How did you begin your sporting journey?

I began artistic swimming because I did gymnastics and competitive swimming. I really love the performance aspect of it and how it combines grace and beauty with strength and athleticism.

Who is your Olympic hero and why?

One of my Olympic heroes would have to be Emma McKeon. I really admire how hard working she is and how much she's achieved over her swimming career. I think she's a great inspiration for young girls looking to get into sport and looking to get into swimming and I really admire her as an athlete and as a person.

What would you tell your future self if you won a medal?

Something I would tell my future self if I won a medal would be congratulations! I would say the hard work that you've put in and all of the hours have led to this, and when you lead with your heart and with your passions, you can achieve anything, and that's what's gotten you here. I would tell my future self to be grateful about the steps that you've taken to get where you are, and never forget to thank those around you who've helped you get there. I would also say that you're paving the way for future athletes to make their way in this sport and to achieve their own goals and dreams.

Olivia Price, 31, Sailing

Pictured from L-R: Olivia Price & Evie Haseldine

Making her professional sailing debut at the age of 16 at the ISAF World Cup Women's Match Racing Tour, by 2010 Olivia had claimed the ISAF Women’s World No. 1 rank as bowman, the Australian Women’s Match Racing Champion as skipper, and the Australian National Open Match Racing Champion as crew. At 19, she competed at the London 2012 Olympic Games and clinched silver, making her the youngest female ever to earn a medal in the Elliot 6m Match Racing event. Returning to the water after a 5-year break when young sailor Evie Haseldine approached her for mentorship in 2022, the pair embarked on a new journey sailing together, winning a bronze medal at the World Championships in The Netherlands and securing Australia a quota spot in 49erFX class for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

What inspired you to take up sailing?

Sailing is such a different sport. There's something new to learn everyday, whether that be the weather or the people you're sailing against. For me it's about the challenge of finding a new way to go about things or working with a new team. It's always an exciting day when you're out on the water. It's not always nice and sunny, but there’s always something that you'll learn.

What are some words of advice you’d share with aspiring athletes?

My words of wisdom to aspiring athletes would be to just keep going. You never know what you can do unless you give it a go. You can try as many sports as you want, be in as many teams as you want, and as long as you're having fun and giving it your all, you're going to get something out of it, whether it be a result or just pride in being able to go and achieve a goal.

What are some key items in your training bag?

The key things that I'll always show up to the boat park with is La Roche-Posay sunscreen. We spend a lot of time in the sun, and it definitely stays on through the sweat, salt and tears. My Tiffany necklace is also something that brings me a whole lot of luck. I got it for my 16th birthday from my grandparents and I don't take it off, so it'll be with me in Paris!

Evie Haseldine, 21, Sailing

Thanks to her father’s passion for the sport, Sydney-born Evie began her sailing career at age 7, in a Sabot at Drummoyne Sailing Club. In 2018 at the age of 14, she went on to represent Australia on the world stage at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, the World Sailing Youth Championships and the Nacra 15 Open World Championships. Just a year later, Evie came 2nd in the female division at the Australian Youth Nationals crewing in the 29er class, placing third overall. To realise her dream of competing in the Olympic Games, Evie reached out to sailing veteran Olivia Price for guidance and mentorship in 2022, and the pair have been working the waters towards their Paris Olympic dreams ever since.

What’s the greatest achievement in your sporting career?

The greatest achievement so far in my sporting career has been winning the bronze medal at the World Sailing Championships last year. It was a really cool event where Olivia and I were able to execute after only about 18 months in the boat together, so it was really special.

Who is your Olympic hero and why?

My Olympic hero would be Olivia Price, who I actually sail with now. She inspired me to go on the Olympic journey, and I can remember seeing her silver medal after she won that in 2012. She'll always be my Olympic hero.

What are some words of advice to share with aspiring athletes?

I would tell aspiring athletes to never stop learning and to keep asking questions. It's been really important, even at the Olympic level, to keep looking for the next development so that we can get that upper edge all the time. Because the fleet is always developing, we have to develop with them, and Olivia and Victor have been great at continually reminding me that it's super important to keep searching.

Make sure to catch our athletes in action and cheer them on! Watch key events and matches live streamed direct from Paris at your local Westfield, which has been transformed into a Live Site as part of Westfield’s partnership with the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams. Visit your local Westfield's website to find out what's happening near you.