Paris Olympics 2024: Sydney Roosters junior Noah Havard makes canoe sprint team

If things had just been a little different - and his shoulder more stable - this young gun might have been racing for a spot in the Roosters this NRL season - not a medal at the Paris Olympics.

Paddler Noah Harvard is chasing a spot at his first Olympics.

If things had just been a little different - and his shoulder less inclined to dislocate as a kid - Noah Havard might have been vying for a spot in the Sydney Roosters team this season - not the Australian K4 kayaking team chasing a medal at the Paris Olympics.

The Roosters rugby league junior and North Bondi surf life saver has confirmed himself a ticket et to the will be out in Sydney’s west bidding for a spot in the men’s K4 chasing medal success at the Olympics in France later this year.

Havard said he still shakes his head in disbelief thinking how his childhood dream of being a big hitter in the NRL was replaced by one of representing his country on the biggest sporting stage in the world because his shoulder could not stand up to the rigours of league as a teenager.

“It really is unbelievable,’’ said Havard, now based on the Gold Coast at the national training centre.

Harvard said he was told at an early age that because he kept dislocating his shoulder he should either give up rugby league or have reconstructive surgery.

K4 BATTLERS CHASING OLYMPIC MEDAL

Paddler Noah Harvard has put everything into his chase for the Olympics.

His decision to take the first piece of advice, a talent in the surf as a ski paddler for North Bondi, the contacts of his old surf coach Jimmy Walker in kayaking and the faith of Olympic champion Ken Wallace helped pave the way to a new sporting career for the now 23-year-old.

Havard will now race in Paris with multiple Olympian Riley Fitzsimmons, Pierre van der Westhuyzen and Jackson Collins.

“It’s been quite a journey to get here and a tribute to all the people who have helped me along the way,’’ Havard said.

Havard was part of the crew which last year qualified Australia a spot in the K4 racing at the Paris Olympics.

“That was the first time I could taste it, the potential to be in Paris for real,” he said.

Front to back: Riley Fitzsimmons, Pierre van der Westhuyzen, Jackson Collins, Noah Havard.

EARLIER: KAYAKERS TO WATCH AT OCEANIA/GP 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS AT PENRITH

Key events outside the K4 racing to watch this weekend include the K2’s where Olympic champions Tom Green and Jean van der Westhuyzen will take on the likes of Fitzsimmons and Collins and Harvard and the younger van der Westhuyzen brother.

Tokyo Olympic champion Green will also be up against his K2 partner van der Westhuyzen in the K1.

In the K4, Aly Bull, Ally Clarke, world silver medallist Yale Steinepreis and Ella Beere will be chasing Olympic selection with a top performance.

Tokyo Olympian Alyce Wood is the favourite to snare the K1 spot but will face opposition from rising stars Natalia Drobot and Kailey Harlen.

More from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Paris Olympics 2024: Sydney Roosters junior Noah Havard makes canoe sprint team