[Photo/Xinhua]

Gong Lijiao

Age: 35

Event: women's shot put

At 35, Gong Lijiao is gearing up for her fifth Olympic appearance, leading the Chinese athletics team to Paris. In Tokyo, she recorded a personal best of 20.58 meters in the women's shot put, winning Olympic gold to complete a "grand slam" of titles. Despite the inevitable challenges of age, including injuries and stamina issues, Gong's goal remains unwavering: to defend her Olympic title and achieve a 21-meter throw.