“We are passionate about the Games as it’s something that can bring the world’s people together,” says Barb. 

The couple’s life-long love affair with all sports began in their youth with Laurie a keen swimmer, football, soccer and rugby player. Meanwhile Barb’s passion for athletics and netball provided a common interest for the pair, who have been together for 40 years.

REMEMBERING SYDNEY 2000

“I went to the Mexico City Olympics in ’68 as a spectator and I was a young and impressionable 20-year-old who was passionate about sport and seeing the world’s best athletes,” says Laurie.

They met in the early ’80s and, explains Laurie, it didn’t take much to convince his new wife to honeymoon at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

They attended every Olympics as spectators until Sydney 2000, when they decided to volunteer in the lead-up to and during the Games. Since then Barb and Laurie have volunteered in the Olympic Village at every Games, except for Tokyo in 2021 in the aftermath of the pandemic.

LIFE AS AN OLYMPIC VOLUNTEER 

Olympic volunteers are the lifeblood of the Games and no job is a problem. “It could be as small as getting clean towels for an athlete,” explains Barb, 68.

The Olympics can also be centrestage for protests or participants making life-changing decisions. “They might say they want to defect, but that’s our worst nightmare!” she laughs.

Laurie, 76, witnessed the massacre that killed 12 competitors from Israel and Germany at Munich in 1972 and still remembers the horrors clearly. “It still emotionally affects me because I’m probably one of the few people who’s still alive in the world today who was in the stadium for that ceremony,” says the former professional swimming coach.

But most of their memories are happy ones. Over the years, Barb and Laurie have also gathered a large collection of memorabilia, much of which they’ve given away to schools and groups. 

And while they’ve loved every Olympics, they agree Sydney 2000 was hands-down the best they’ve attended. And despite not getting paid for volunteering, the pair say there are definitely perks, like meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, in London in 2012.

“The icing on the cake was that experience,” recalls Barb. “Kate talked to me about their upcoming trip to Australia and how much she was looking forward to it.”

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That’s right, the playing field is finally even, with an equal number of male and female athletes going for gold.

To celebrate this historic first, we’ve rounded up five of the most inspirational women to watch at the Paris Games. These fierce females dominate on and off the court, making a difference in the world around us.

Let’s meet the cultural game changers.

INSPIRING FEMALE OLYMPIANS TO WATCH AT THE OLYMPICS

01

Simone Biles – USA, Gymnastics

Simone Biles, with seven Olympic medals (four of them gold), has long been a gymnastic legend. And she’s set to return to the Olympic stage in Paris for one last hurrah. The star gymnast plans to retire after this round.

After taking a mental health break during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Simone, who has the support of Taylor Swift, has been open about the importance of emotional wellbeing.

“For so many years to go through everything that I’ve gone through, put on a front, I’m proud of myself. And I’m happy that I can be a leader for the survivors and bring courage to everybody speaking up. So I’m happy to be a voice for them,” Simone said on Today.

The gymnastic star’s courage to prioritise her health and come back stronger is such an inspiration to women and girls around the world.

02

Emma McKeon – Australia, Swimming

Emma McKeon is the most decorated Australian in Olympic history.

The New South Wales swimmer competed at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and won big. She took home three relay medals, including gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay alongside Brittany Elmslie, Brone Campbell, and Cate Campbell. She also took home an individual bronze medal in the 200m freestyle.

At Tokyo 2020, Emma went on to win four gold medals, including the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, and relay victories in the 4x100m free (including a World Record) and women’s 4x100m medley relay.

As if that weren’t enough, the swimming legend nabbed bronze medals in the 100m butterfly, 4x200m freestyle relay, and 4x100m mixed medley relay taking her medal tally in Japan to seven. That is the most by any female swimmer at a single Olympic Games and the joint-most medals across any sport with Soviet gymnast Maris Gorokhovskaya.

Now the Olympian is retiring in style at the Paris Olympic Games. She said: “Swimming will always be a part of my life and has been for my whole life so far. But this will definitely be my last Olympics, so I’m excited for that.

“Success for me in Paris would be to swim faster than I ever have before.”

03

Sky Brown – Great Britain, Skateboarding

Sky Brown made history by winning bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Games (played in 2021 because COVID) at just 13 years old. Her skateboarding career started at the age of four.

And despite suffering a harrowing training injury few months before the Tokyo Olympics that kept her sidelined – and lucky to be alive – Sky, 16, has made a miraculous comeback.

The skateboarding legend secured qualification for Paris 2024 in Budapest, despite not being as she says “100 per cent”.

“My torn MCL is still not 100 per cent healed, so I can’t go very hard [but] I don’t want to keep it safe for Paris,” the young warrior said.

“Getting back in that bowl, skating with everyone, feeling that fire again… It was the best feeling. Being in the air while are screaming is my favourite thing!”

04

B-girl Nicka – Lithuania, Breaking

B-girl Nicka recently turned 16. And she’s been credited with putting Lithuania on the global breaking map.

Breaking – a style of street dance – is a new sport introduced in efforts to bring the Olympics to a wider and younger audience. And boy does B-girl Nicka make it look fun!

The breaker, who believes that age is only a number, isn’t scared of facing competitors twice her age.

“In breaking, it doesn’t matter how old you are. I deserve to be here and to compete at this level with all those athletes,” she told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview.

05

The Matildas – Australia, Soccer

Yes, the Matildas are more than one inspirational female – but on the field, they compete as one. And together, Australia’s national women’s soccer team are riding a green and gold wave of support all the way to Paris.

With fierce determination, the team has steadily risen through the ranks to become one of the top contenders in women’s soccer.

Led by Captain Sam Kerr, who unfortunately is nursing an injury and left to cheer on her teammates from the sidelines, the Matildas have overcome numerous challenges on and off the field.

The team is known for fighting for equal pay and better conditions for female athletes.

Coach Tony Gustavsson said, “I know that this team will give everything for the coat of arms and will represent Australia to the best of their ability in the true Aussie way.”

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It’s just one of the many positive changes Jelena Dokic has made recently.

After years of struggling with her mental health, the tennis pro turned commentator is working hard to shift her internal narrative.

JELENA DOKIC JOURNEY

She’s gone from “victim to survivor to thriver” and “let go of hate and approach life with kindness, compassion and gratitude”.

She released her first book Unbreakable seven years ago, which details the emotional and physical abuse she suffered throughout her tennis career at the hands of her father.

And Jelena says she’s still feeling the effects of writing it. It unleashed a profound change in her life.

TIME FOR CHANGE

The child prodigy, who came to Australia as a refugee in 1994 from the former Yugoslavia, is finally able to see that there’s more to life than tennis.

“I always thought that what I do in tennis will define me and who I am as a person and how worthy I am,” she tells Go Behind The Mask podcast. “I believed that for a long time.”

Now through therapy the 41-year-old is realising that she’s worth more than just her achievements on court.

“I only really discovered that through the journey of writing.

“That’s why I’ll say it every single day for the rest of my life: Unbreakable changed my life, and it saved my life. It gave me a voice, I was free,” Jelena tells The Guardian.

FINDING A PURPOSE

Far from being a celebrity issuing empty platitudes on Instagram, Jelena uses the darkest elements of her story to connect with people who have suffered similar traumas.

It’s helping her find “my calling”.

Because finding a purpose after being a professional athlete is tough, says the Wimbledon commentator. She felt lonely and lost after retiring in 2014, while feeling like she hadn’t reached her full potential.

“I was a woman with nothing to aspire to, no goals and dreams left,” Jelena tells The Guardian.

“And to now be doing this – if you told me that 10 years ago, I would have told you that you are literally crazy… I have a lot of joy in my life now, I’m thriving.”

THE POWER OF SPEAKING

She adds that becoming a motivational speaker and consistently speaking up about her experience “has actually saved my life at times”.

Social media has also allowed her to create a community to share her experiences with people, even if sometimes cruel trolls weigh her down.

Recently she took to Instagram to address her weight loss and the “myth of perfection”, after she was trolled online.

WEIGHT LOSS BATTLE

“I had some health issues but also I just wanted to get healthier and fitter and when I turned 40 last year I really started to think about my family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems.”

Jelena has lost 20kg and adds that while she’s happy she’s lost the weight for health reasons, it won’t change who she is.

“I still want people to value me and others based on whether we are kind and good people. I will always be proud of myself and not hide or be embarrassed no matter what size I am,” she writes.

“Beauty is not what is on the outside. Beauty is not the number on the scale or having a pretty face. Beauty is having a beautiful mind, a beautiful heart and a beautiful soul. Beauty is being kind, empathetic, hard working and a good person.”

We couldn’t agree more!

If you or anyone you know needs help: Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) or Lifeline (13 11 14)

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“We’ve been doing the show together for a year-and-a-half now, so that’s pretty much long distance,” Karl, 49, quips to TV WEEK. “But we’ve had some special tracksuits made, and we’re really excited to get over there. There’s no better event to present in the world.”

“We adore working with each other, so to do an event of this size on the world stage is a real thrill,” Sarah, 38, says, adding, “I’ve been trying to teach Karl a bit of French too – he’s an alright student,” before Karl interjects, “Oh no – I’m absolutely hopeless. I’m thinking of taking a personal translator with me.”

The Today co-hosts agree that Paris is one of their favourite places in the world, after Australia of course, and are most looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere in the French capital at an event that’s very much needed right now.

“I think it’s been a bit of a tough year. People are struggling financially; there are all sorts of storm clouds on the horizon,” Karl says. “To have this break in the middle of the year, where we can come together as a nation, and get behind these magnificent athletes, is going to be spectacular.”

So who are they keeping their eye on?

“Just watching [swimmer] Ariarne Titmus muscle up every time she gets in a race, she’s got that kind of Cathy Freeman pressure,” Sarah says, while Karl says he’s keen to watch paddling sisters Jessica and Noemi Fox in the new kayak cross event.

“It’s such a beautiful family story, with their parents having competed as canoeists in past Olympics [dad Richard for Great Britain in 1992 and mum Myriam for France in 1996],” he says. “It’s a beautiful legacy for them.”

The pair will broadcast Today live from the Trocadéro – which is just opposite the Eiffel Tower – from the week leading into the Games, where each morning, they’ll bring viewers highlights from that day.

“I think that’s the best part – that Aussies can wake up to anything they might have missed the night before. We’re going to deliver it to them on a silver platter,” Sarah says.

And, of course, it won’t be all work and no play.

“To be able to whack a couple of baguettes in our gobs in between, some Beaujolais [French red wine], maybe some snails… it doesn’t get any better,” Karl enthuses, adding that he’s even hoping for a swim in the Seine!

“I’ve been training – I’ve been swimming in the Yarra [in Melbourne] as part of my preparation,” he says with a laugh. “Anything can happen and we’re ready for anything!”

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From the iconic Eiffel Tower and world-renowned Champ de Mars to the Château De Versailles, jaws are set to drop in France’s City of Light for the Olympic Games. 

Let’s take a look at the Olympic Games venues that, alone, are worth booking a ticket to Paris for.

THE 11 MOST ICONIC PARIS 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES VENUES

01

STADE DE FRANCE

Paris 2024 sports: Athletics, Rugby Sevens

Capacity: 77,083

Arguably France’s most well-known stadium and definitely its largest, Stade de France was built to host the 1998 men’s FIFA World Cup.

And it has served its purpose well, hosting multiple games, including the nail-biting match where Les Bleus famously won its first world championship against Brazil.

02

ROLAND-GARROS STADIUM

Paris 2024 sports: Tennis, Boxing

Capacity: 34,000

Roland-Garros Stadium has hosted the French Open for nearly a century.

The legendary sports complex, named in memory of French aviator Roland Garros, spans more than 12 hectares dotted with 18 clay courts.

03

STADE VÉLODROME

Paris 2024 sports: Football

Capacity: 67,394

The Stade Vélodrome, also known as the Orange Velodrome, was originally built for cycling events. But it has since evolved to host various sports and significant events. 

Built in 1937, the stadium has hosted memorable sporting events, including the 1938 and 1998 Football World Cups and the 2016 European Football Championships.

04

PLACE DE LA CONCORDE

Paris 2024 sports: BMX Freestyle, Skateboarding, Breaking, 3X3 Basketball

Capacity: 30,000

Place de la Concorde is one of the largest and most famous public squares in Paris. Filled with rich history, the Place once served as a central stage for the French Revolution. 

And it’s also held some of the nation’s biggest festivities like the victorious celebration at the end of World War I, the Liberation of Paris in World War II and even the French men’s national team taking home the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

05

PARC DES PRINCES

Paris 2024 sports: Football

Capacity: 47,926

This impressive stadium was designed by architect Roger Taillibert who also lays claim to Montreal’s Olympic Stadium. 

The ‘Parc’ was built back in 1972 and has been the home of football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. With regular upkeep, the stadium shines as brightly today as it did back then.

06

GRAND PALAIS

Paris 2024 sports: Fencing, Taekwondo

Capacity: 8,000

The Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, more commonly known as simply the Grand Palais, stuns with its incredible nave and glass roof in the heart of Paris. 

The iconic complex, which is listed as a historic monument by the French Ministry of Culture, wears many hats. Today it serves as a museum, art gallery, exhibition and concert hall as well as a sports venue, on occasion. 

07

CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES

Paris 2024 sports: Equestrian, Modern Pentathlon

Capacity: upwards of 40,000, depending on the event

The previous home to the court of King Louis XIV, The Château de Versailles was the first French site to ever be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. 

Also known as the Palace of Versailles in English, the site will see a temporary outdoor arena erected in the heart of the Palace’s gardens, which will stage the dressage, eventing cross country and jumping competitions. The modern pentathlon events, except for the fencing ranking rounds, will also take place here.

08

CHAMP DE MARS ARENA & EIFFEL TOWER STADIUM

Paris 2024 sports: Beach Volleyball, Judo, Wrestling

Capacity: 8,356

While you might not have known its name, you’ve definitely seen this stunning greenspace before. Nestled between the Eiffel Tower on one side and the École Militaire to the other, The Champ de Mars lawns have traditionally been used as drilling and marching grounds by the French military.

The Champ de Mars Arena is a temporary structure that has been built solely for the Olympic Games and will stage the judo and wrestling competitions. However, it’s the volleyball players and spectators that will have a hard time focusing – they’ll be going for gold in the open air right beside the iconic Eiffel Tower. 

09

ESPLANADE DES INVALIDES

Paris 2024 sports: Archery

Capacity: 8,000

A sprawling green space in the heart of Paris, the Esplanade des Invalides offers a stunning view of the majestic Hôtel des Invalides – a complex of buildings that nod to France’s military history.

During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this famous site will not only host the archery competition, but it will also serve as the finish line of a marathon.

10

TEAHUPO’O

Paris 2024 sports: Surfing

Capacity: 600

A village on the coast of Tahiti, Teahupo’o is famous for having the most amazing waves for surfing. It might seem unusual that part of the Olympic Games would be held here, but the reason why is actually pretty sound.

Teahupo’o is an island in French Polynesia. And one of Paris 2024’s goals was to spread the Games across France and engage French overseas territories and communities in the Olympics. Mission accomplished.

11

YVES-DU-MANOIR STADIUM

Paris 2024 sports: Hockey

Capacity: 15,000

First opened in 1907, the stadium was the primary arena for the Olympic Games in 1924. It did it all, hosting the athletics, cycling, horse riding, gymnastics, tennis, football, rugby and pentathlon events with ease. 

But that’s not the stadium’s only claim to fame. It also hosted the final of the 1938 FIFA World Cup where Italy beat Hungary, winning its second world title.

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As excitement builds in the lead up to the Paris 2024 Olympics, we’re sure spectators will be keeping a particularly close eye on the Australian tennis players. Here’s the Olympic tennis team and everything you need to know about them.

Combine Australia’s love of sport with our competitive nature, and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

Tennis is one of those sports that never fails to capture the nation, and the Australian Open grand slam tournament in January every year always has Australia on the edge of their seats.

With the Paris Olympics mere weeks away, viewers are already interested in who will be representing their country in tennis. 

In 2024, Australia will have nine tennis players competing at the Olympics – five men and four women.

The men include the top Australian men’s tennis player, Alex de Minaur, as well as Alexei Popyrin, John Peers, Matt Ebden and Rinky Hijikata.

Competing in singles will be De Minaur, who is currently ranked ninth in the world, Popyrin who is 47th, and Hijikata who is 75th.

Meanwhile, Matt Ebden is currently the highest ranked doubles player, and he’ll be joined by Peers who is 41st. De Minaur and Popyrin will make the second Aussie men’s doubles pairing.

Many will be making their Olympic debut in 2024, including De Minaur, Popyrin, Ebden and Hijikata. Alex De Minaur missed out on the 2020 games due to COVID-19.

As for the women, Ajla Tomlanovic, Daria Saville, Ellen Perez and Olivia Gadecki will be competing.

Saville is currently Australia’s top women’s tennis player, and she is 84th in the world.

Behind her is Gadecki who is 177th, and Tomljanovic who is 190th.

As for doubles, Perez is currently 9th in the world, while Gadecki is 77th.

Tomlanovic will be the only Australian tennis player in the women’s singles at the upcoming Olympics, and she’ll also join forces with Gadecki in doubles.

Meanwhile, Saville and Perez will also be competing together in doubles.

Australia has been relatively successful in tennis at Olympic level, winning six medals in total. The most recent medal was won at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with Ash Barty and John Peers taking home a bronze medal in the mixed doubles.

Meanwhile, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde remain the only Australian tennis players to win a gold medal at the Olympics. They achieved this in the men’s doubles at the 1996 Atlanta games.

Could we see a new gold medallist in tennis at the 2024 Olympics? Our fingers are crossed!

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At only 14 and 15 years old, respectively, Aussies Arisa Trew and Ruby Trew are set to rewrite history in Paris, competing for the gold in skateboarding. The girls share no relation despite their identical last names.

However, they are good friends and have a bit of fun about the coincidence. “We just tell people we’re cousins, even though we’re not,” Arisa said.

Skateboarding has only been featured in the Olympics since 2020 (delayed to 2021 thanks to the pandemic). But it has long seen men and boys rule the ramps and dominate the half-pipes.

Now thanks to the grit and determination of these fearless young ladies, the tides are turning. And the global stage is preparing to witness just how amazing they are.

Meet the two inspiring competitors below:

ARISA TREW

Arisa is from the Gold Coast and will be just 14 years 86 days when she competes in Paris. This makes her the seventh youngest Australian Olympian ever. 

The young champion first turned heads at the Vert Alert ramp competition in Salt Lake City this past June. There, she became the first female in history to land the 720 – a move involving two full 360 rotations in the air.

Not only did she ace the trick, Arisa managed to do it in front of the guy who pioneered it nearly 40 years ago – skateboarding royalty Tony Hawk.

Since, it seems Tony has been keeping his eyes on her. Arisa absolutely nailed a 900-degree spin in a half-pipe, another female-first, and Tony took to his 8.8-million strong Instagram account to tell the tale. 

He heaped praise, posting the video and captioning it: “Arisa Trew just became the first female to land a 900.

“Glass ceilings are so 2023. Congrats.”

Arisa commented on his post: “Thank you so much Tony! Your (sic) an inspiration”.

RUBY TREW

Sydney’s own Ruby Trew, 15, got her ticket to the Olympics after winning silver in the park division at the World Skateboarding Olympic qualifier in Argentina in May. 

Just out of kindy, Ruby was only six when she competed in her first international competition. Then at 10, she beat out adult women to world championship silver. 

Born to be an Olympian, Ruby set her sights on competing at the Tokyo Games when she was 12. But, that plan got pushed because of COVID-related incidents, she says.

“I got to the semi-finals and then the coach got COVID-19 and a few other people got COVID before him and they had to disqualify us from the comp,” Ruby said.

“If I would have gotten to the finals I would have gone to Tokyo, but that is just the way it is. It was very disappointing. I had a lot to bring and I was super excited, but no one could do anything about it. It wasn’t their fault they got COVID, it just happened.

“I was pretty bummed for a few weeks, but then I decided to get over it and keep skating and moving on.”

Of competing in the Olympics, Ruby says, “I’m thrilled to be representing my country in Paris. It’s an amazing achievement for myself, family and supporters.

“This has been a great journey not just for me but for all my teammates. We’ve worked so hard to get to this moment so we all really want to enjoy it and support each other, it’ll be amazing in Paris.”

THE OLYMPICS SKATEBOARDING COMPETITION

The Olympics Skateboarding competition will be held from Saturday 27 July to Sunday 28 July for Street, and from 6 August to 7 August 2024 for Park at the La Concorde venue in Paris.

In the heart of Paris, the La Concorde venue, along with the Grand Palais, the Eiffel Tower Stadium and Champ-de-Mars Arena, will temporarily be transformed into an urban park.

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Now, the 30-year-old is gearing up to defend her gold medal at her fourth Olympic games – but she’s not the only member of her family heading to Paris. Her sister Noemie is set to make her Olympic debut in the same sport.

Jess Fox is widely regarded as the greatest individual paddler of all time, having won four Olympic medals and being named world champion eight times.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Jess will not only be defending her title, but she’ll also be competing against her younger sister Noemie Fox.

The canoe slalom genes certainly run in the family, as both the girls’ parents as well as their aunt were also Olympians, competing in the same sport.

Their father, Richard Fox, competed for Great Britain at the 1992 Olympics and was also a five-time world champion.

Meanwhile, their mother Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi competed for France at the 1996 event, where she won a bronze medal.

Noemie will be making her Olympic debut in kayak cross, which is a new event that is being introduced in Paris.

The 27-year-old was selected for the team after she won a silver medal at the Global Qualification event in Prague in June, and met the quota for Australia.

As Jess is contesting the K1 and C1 events at the Olympics this year, she’s also eligible for the kayak cross event.

This means the sisters will be competing against each other in the same event!

Noemie spoke about this milestone moment for her, sharing that she still finds it hard to “find the right words to describe how special this feels.”

“For so long the Olympics felt very unattainable as we only have one spot per category in our sport and well – the Greatest of All Time has been a bit of a barrier to entry!

“I’m so honoured, proud and grateful to be joining my teammates Tim Anderson, Tristan Carter and my sister Jess Fox on the Australian Olympic Team,” she added.

“I’m now the final piece of the puzzle joining my family of Olympians! The Olympic Spirit is something that has been ingrained in my upbringing since the start – growing up in the aftermath of the Sydney 2000 Olympics idolising Ian Thorpe, Susie O’Neil and Cathy Freeman.”

Speaking on Noemie’s introduction to the team, Chef de Mission for the 2024 Australian Olympic Team Anna Meares said, “I’m thrilled to announce Noemie on the Australian Olympic Team for Paris.”

The former Olympic cyclist added, “I know how much this moment means to Noemie and the entire Fox family.

“While I know the Fox family is rich with Olympic representation and achievement, Noemie’s selection and achievements are exemplary in their own right. Her grit, determination and poise allows her to stand tall and proud in herself as an individual as well as within the sport and family.

“This selection is hard fought and extremely well earned. I’m proud to welcome her officially to the team for Paris and to being an Australian Olympian for life!”

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