The most extraordinary Olympians heading to Rio
James Polson
It's an extraordinary achievement for any athlete to represent their country at an Olympics. But some Olympians will arrive in Rio having overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Here are just some of the remarkable stories as the countdown to the 31st Olympiad. (AAP)
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Scott Westcott (Australia)
It may not seem so from this gallery, but it's rare to see Olympians over 40, at least in athletics. What is more remarkable about Westcott is the fact he will make his Olympic debut in the marathon at age 40. After giving the sport away, he did one last marathon in Berlin. In an Olympic qualifying time. Bravo. (Getty Images)
Jo Pavey (Great Britain)
Joining Westcott at the upper end of the age bracket is 42-year-old Pavey. She will contest her fifth Olympic Games when she competes in the 10,000m event, making her the first British track athlete to achieve such longevity. (AAP)
Ellie Carpenter (Australia)
Australia's youngest Olympian in Rio is a member of the highly-touted Matildas. The 16-year-old said she made the decision that she would one day compete at the Games as a four-year-old watching the Athens Olympics in 2004. (AAP)
Mary Hanna (Australia)
Competing at her fifth Games, at almost 62 Mary Hanna will be Australia's oldest-ever competing Olympian. Her best finish to date was 24th in the individual equestrian event at Atlanta. And who held the record before Hanna, you ask? Bill Roycroft, also in equestrian, who competed at Montreal 1976 aged 61. (AAP)
Jordan Burroughs (USA)
You may not have heard of the American freestyle wrestler but the University of Nebraska alumnus has one of the most imposing records heading into Rio. The three-time world champion and London gold medallist won a record 69 consecutive matches to start his senior career, and as of the Olympic trials boasts an overall record of 124-2. Not bad. (AAP)
Nate Ebner (USA)
Sure, he's not quite there yet, but Ebner gets a run on this list simply because the parallels with Jarryd Hayne's Olympic tilt. The Patriots safety, who played rugby in college took leave from the Super Bowl XLIX champions to try his luck at sevens. His thoughts on those criticising him for attempting to take the spot of a long-term rugby player? “I’m here, so tough, you like it or you don’t.” (AAP)
Jahvid Best (USA)
Ebner's dream may hang in the balance but Jahvid Best has already made history as the first-ever NFL player to make the jump to the Games. The former Detroit running back will contest the 100m for the tiny Caribbean nation of St Lucia. (AAP)
Mangar Makur Chuot (South Sudan)
Few athletes will have a more gut wrenching back story than Chuot, who at age four saw his father murdered as part of the conflict during the Sudanese civil war which eventually led to the emancipation of South Sudan. The world's newest nation will contest their first Olympics in Rio and the Perth-based sprinter will be centre-stage for a possible 200m showdown with Usain Bolt. (AAP)
Ibtihaj Muhammad (USA)
Inclusiveness has always been as central to the Games as athletic prowess and Muhammad will provide a timely reminder of that when the fencer becomes the first American Olympian to compete in a hijab. (AAP)View more galleries
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