Olympic dream comes true for our ‘Micro’

Haylie Powell from Mooloolah takes on Paris

By Kirra Livingstone

It could be the purpose-built bright pink skate park in Haylie Powell’s front yard.
Or it could be the memory of Haylie, who, as an 11-year-old girl, designed a laptop home screen with the Olympic rings and the word “Skateboarding” underneath.
Whatever the case, the tenacious and fearless skater from Mooloolah has always aimed big and this week those dreams become reality when she represents Australia at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Haylie will be competing in the women’s street event and as the third best Australian woman she will put in a strong performance.
Haylie, known as Micro by her friends, still remembers seeing the debut of skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympics.
It’s hard not to, she explains, because she did it from her hospital bed after dislocating and breaking her elbow in a “stupid fall.”
“It was still a really cool experience to see it,” she said.
Inspired by what she saw, Micro was back on her board in no time, cast and all, despite some reservations.
“I just skated with the cast on. And they said it wasn’t allowed, but how do you tell a skater that he can’t skate for six weeks?” Haylie said.
Four years later, that ‘stupid fall’ has been categorised as a ‘learning experience’ and she is competing for the highest sporting recognition.
However, it turned out to be far from easy and even the selection process was an emotional rollercoaster.
“Actually my mum and someone from Skate Australia did the calculations and they weren’t sure if I made the team. I was devastated and stressed,” Haylie said.
“My boyfriend and I decided to figure it out ourselves, and I was in shock. I thought, I really did it.
“I was so happy when Skate Australia confirmed that I had made it.”
Haylie Powell was born and raised in Mooloolah and started skateboarding at the age of 13 when she entered her first international competition.
Haylie grew up playing different sports, her preference was surfing, but when she realized that this was her true passion, she turned to skateboarding.
“My dad and my uncle grew up in Caloundra and they were surfing and skating, mainly surfing, so that’s what I started doing as a kid,” Haylie said.
“I reached a point where I found skateboarding more fun and enjoyable.
“I played every sport since I could stand up, honestly. I was such an athletic kid. I played soccer, oztag, touch—every sport you could think of as a kid.
“I was riding scooters, bikes, skateboards, just doing everything, and then everything kind of got pushed aside, and I found skating to be the most fun thing I did.”
Few teens are as focused on their Olympic goal as Haylie.
“I heard about the Olympics when I was in sixth grade,” she said.
“I had the Olympic rings on my laptop screen with skateboarding underneath it. Everyone was asking me questions, but I always thought I could do it.
“I knew I could do it and understood how much work I would have to put in to do it, and I have definitely worked hard to get where I am today. I am very grateful to my friends and family for their support.
“In 2022 the Olympic qualifiers for Paris started, and it was definitely a long journey, but it has always been a dream for me to go to the Olympic Games.”
Haylie downplays her chances of a medal, but she is confident the competition will take her to the next level.
“It’s super exciting for all of us to go there and represent our country. It means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to my family to go to Paris in an Australian shirt,” Haylie said.
“It means so much to me.
“I’ve watched all sorts of sports growing up. I want to represent Australia and just do my country proud and do the best I can with that green and gold shirt on.
“Representing Australia feels like I’m also representing a part of where I grew up in Mooloolah, and that means a lot.”
Haylie and her family are passionate about the sport, and it shows throughout her home. But it’s hard to look past the bright pink skate park in her front yard.
“I’m very happy and fortunate to have this in my front yard,” said Haylie.
“I thought it would be more hidden among the trees, but it’s bright pink.
“We thought about changing the color, but the pink looks nice.”
Haylie told Olympics.com that the thought of competing against some of her childhood heroes was almost as exciting as the prospect of a medal.
Brazilian Pamela Rosa is one of the skaters Haylie will be skating with at the Olympic Games in Paris.
“It still drives me crazy sometimes,” she said.
“Especially when I’m standing next to her, because I grew up watching her and Leticia (Bufoni). Now I get to be in the same practice session as them.”
Haylie will be competing in the Women’s Street Preliminaries on Sunday 28th July at 8pm (AEST).
The finals kick off a few hours later, at 1am on Monday, July 29 (AEST).
Congratulations and best of luck to Haylie and the Australian Olympic team!
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