Los Angeles 2028: Breakout stars from Paris 2024 to watch at LA28, including Leon Marchand and Quincy Wilson

Paris 2024 has given the world many memorable moments, medals and new sporting stars.

It is the greatest stage for an athlete to announce themselves to the world, whether young stars bursting onto the scene or seasoned talents finally getting their flowers at the Olympic Games.

With eyes now turning towards the next Summer Olympic Games in four years, here are the breakout stars from Paris 2024 to watch out for at LA 2028.

Leon Marchand aims to build on dream debut at home

One of the biggest stars of Paris 2024 was Leon Marchand, relatively unknown in France outside of the swimming world a year ago, but now a household name.

The 22-year-old won four swimming gold medals from four individual finals, before adding a bronze in the men’s 4 x 100m medley relay. With more golds than any other athlete in Paris, Marchand will go to LA with a new type of pressure on his shoulders as he bids to defend those titles.

Talking of French athletes, Victor Wembanyama shone despite falling just short of a dream gold in men’s basketball. The home hero can be proud of a silver medal on his Olympic debut, with France beaten in a thrilling gold medal match by the formidable United States.

Staying on basketball, Australia’s Isobel Borlase impressed en route to a bronze medal in the women’s competition. At just 19 years old, Borlase proved that she could compete with the best, and could be a star in LA.

Elsewhere in the pool, Summer McIntosh is certainly someone who will relish the chance to compete across the border from her home nation of Canada.

A standout swimmer and competing at her second Olympics before turning 18, McIntosh returns home to Canada with an impressive haul of three golds and a silver.

Quincy Wilson wants to create more history at LA28

At 16 years of age, Quincy Wilson has already written Olympic history as Team USA’s youngest male track and field athlete to compete at the Olympic Games.

Though he did not race in the men’s 4 x 400m relay final, Wilson’s team gold with the USA also makes him the youngest-ever Olympic gold medallist in athletics. Could he be the next American star of track and field? That will certainly be the target for LA.

But the U.S. will not be without their challengers, as we saw at Paris 2024 athletics.

Take Letsile Tebogo, the Botswana sprinter who stunned on debut with gold in the men’s 200m and silver in the men’s 4 x 400m relay. There is surely more to come from the 21-year-old sensation.

Then there is Great Britain’s Louie Hinchliffe, who won bronze as part of the men’s 4 x 100m relay and was desperately unlucky to miss out on the 100m final.

One of the most eagerly attended sports at the Games, beach volleyball captivated the Parisian crowds at the iconic Eiffel Tower Stadium, and men’s champions David Ahman & Jonatan Hellvig were worthy champions for Sweden.

Last but not least, 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao was the youngest athlete at Paris 2024, born just a day before the London 2012 Opening Ceremony and becoming the youngest ever Olympian to represent the People’s Republic of China.

These athletes have already achieved Olympic status, and now they will all be vying for glory next time at LA28.