Haylie Powell selected to represent Australia at 2024 Paris Olympic Games

A Sunshine Coast teenage stunt star will soon achieve her childhood dream after being selected in the Australian Olympic team for the 2024 Paris Games.

Sunshine Coast skateboard talent Haylie Powell.

Sunshine Coast rising skateboarding talent Haylie Powell has edged another step closer to her childhood after earning selection in Australian Olympic team for the 2024 Paris Games.

The 18-year-old impressed in the Olympic Qualifiers in Shanghai and Budapest to earn her spot in the 22-person women’s street event.

She said she was overcome with emotions after achieving her Olympic goal.

“I was speechless and remember just dropping down to my knees crying,” she said.

“It was definitely one of the best feelings I have ever experienced.

Sunshine Coast skateboarding talent Haylie Powell in action. Picture: Contributed.

“It has been such a long journey and for it to finally happen is truly amazing.”

Powell, who is more commonly known by her nickname ‘micro’, attended Caloundra State School as a youngster before switching to distance education due to her extensive travel commitments.

After she was taught to surf by her dad, the Mooloolah Valley teenager took her moves to the concrete when she was just six-years-old.

“My favourite park growing up was my local park in Mooloolah and then Nambour as I got older,” she said.

Haylie Powell surfing her way to the U11 champion title.

“Competing at a new course at the Olympics is very exciting, it looks way more open than the other ones we’ve skated in the past.

“I’m hoping to do the best I can by landing all my tricks, representing my country well and meeting all the other Australian and International athletes from various sports.”

Sitting in 23rd in the Olympic World Skate Rankings as Australia’s third-ranked female street skater, Powell is in good shape to continue her impressive performances on the biggest stage.

Aussie professional skateboarder Haylie Powell pictured in action at Sydney Park skate park in Erskineville. Picture: Damian Shaw

After making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 Games, Powell said it was cool to see her sport take centre stage again at the famous Place de La Concorde in the heart of the French capital.

“I thought it was very cool as it’s a chance to showcase to the world what skateboarding is all about,” she said.

“There is more to skateboarding than what people think.”

Former mentor and coach Mat Chigwidden of ‘Chiggy’s Skateboarding’ said he was extremely proud of what Powell had achieved.

“She was the first girl I ever coached but I remember she was super eager, her parents were really supportive and she just didn’t stop,” he said.

Haylie's first competition with coaches Leon (left) and Chiggy (right).

“She was the first to arrive, the last to go home and had something very special from the very beginning.”

Chigwidden said Powell would serve as an inspiration for the next crop of junior stars.

“It makes us all very proud to see her achieving these dreams and rising through the ranks,” he said.

“Haylie started out just like every other kid we teach so for them to see her journey and soon see her representing Australia is very exciting and gives them all plenty of encouragement.”

Originally published as Haylie Powell selected to represent Australia at 2024 Paris Olympic Games