Youngest and Oldest Australian Competitors at the Summer Olympics
Here are some of the 'Oldest and Youngest' Australian competitors at the Summer Olympic Games. New to this list in 2024 is Arisa Trew who won the women's skateboarding park event, becoming Australia's youngest Olympic gold medallist.
"Boy" Charlton is the youngest male gold medallist for AustraliaMale Competitors
Oldest Competitor — Andrew Hoy competed in the equestrian eventing individual event in Tokyo 2021, aged 62 years 175 days. He finished 3rd.
Oldest Medalist — Andrew Hoy, Australia's oldest competitor ever, won bronze in the eventing event in Tokyo 2021, aged 62 years 175 days.
Oldest Gold Medalist — The oldest gold medalist is Bill Northam (yachting, 5.5m). He was 59 years 23 days, in Tokyo 1964.
Youngest Competitor — Ian Johnston is Australia's youngest-ever Olympic competitor. He was 13 years 74 days old when he competed as the coxswain in the rowing coxed pairs event in 1960.
Youngest Medalists — Kevin Berry was 15 years 139 days old when he swam in the heats of 4 x 100 m medley relay in 1960. He did not swim in the final when Australia earned a silver medal. At that time relay swimmers did not receive a medal. The youngest to receive a medal was Neville Hayes, who swam in 4 × 100m Medley Relay team in 1960 which finished 2nd. He was 16 years 269 days old.
Youngest Gold Medalist — Andrew Murray "Boy" Charlton won the swimming 1,500 m freestyle event in 1924, aged 16 years 336 days.
Female Competitors
Oldest Competitor — Equestrian athlete, 66 years old Mary Hanna, became Australia's oldest Olympian when she competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Hanna is back in Paris as a reserve team member, but is not expected to compete. She is also the second-oldest female Olympian, from all countries.
Oldest Medalist — Shooter Patricia Dench finished 3rd in the 25m sporting pistol event in 1984, aged 52 years 143 days.
Oldest Gold Medalist — Equestrian Gillian Rolton won gold in the team eventing in 1996, aged 40 years 82 days.
Youngest Competitor — Australia's youngest-ever athlete was swimmer Tracey Wickham who was just 13 years 239 days when she competed in the 400m Freestyle in 1976.
Youngest Medalists — Arisa Trew, who is Australia's youngest gold medallist, at 14 years and 86 days.
Youngest Gold Medalist — In 2024 Arisa Trew won the women's skateboarding park event, becoming Australia's youngest Olympic gold medallist at 14 years and 86 days. The previous youngest gold medalist was Sandra Morgan in swimming, who was 14 years 6 months when she won gold as part of the 4x100m freestyle relay in Melbourne 1956.
Related Pages
- Oldest and Youngest Olympians (Summer Games)
- Profiles of Great Australian Olympians
- Top Australian Gold Medal Winners at the Olympic Games
- In What Sports Has Australia Won Gold at the Olympics?
- The Oldest surviving Olympians
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