10 sports stars who could shine in 2024

Keely Hodgkinson, Simone Biles and Jude Bellingham could all have a big year ahead.

The Paris Olympics and Euro 2024 will underpin next year’s sporting calendar.

Here, the PA news agency picks out 10 stars who are expected to shine.

Sky Brown

Paris Olympics one year to go — Sky Brown will bid for more Olympic glory in Paris (Adam Davy/PA)

Britain’s skateboard superstar claimed an historic bronze medal at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics and will head to Paris as the reigning world champion in the park category. Still only 15, Brown has still not given up hope of also representing Team GB in the Olympic surfing event in Tahiti.

Simone Biles

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – Day Eleven — Simone Biles is targeting more gymnastics history (Mike Egerton/PA)

One of the world’s greatest ever gymnasts launched a spectacular return in 2023, after an extended hiatus to prioritise mental health. With a remarkable four world golds, including in the prestigious women’s all-around, Biles once again set her stall out as the star to watch in Paris.

Noah Lyles

World Athletics Championships 2023 – Day Seven – Budapest — Noah Lyles is eager to expand his boundaries (Martin Rickett/PA)

The US track star dazzled in 2023, winning gold in both 100m and 200m at the World Championships in Budapest. Looking to build on the 200m bronze he took in Tokyo, Lyles is intent on expanding his horizons by potentially also forming a part of the men’s 4x400m relay squad.

Jude Bellingham

England’s Bellingham has made a stunning start to his Real Madrid career, scoring 13 goals in his first 16 LaLiga appearances and also becoming the first player to score in each of his first four Champions League appearances for the club. A sensational platform at Euro 2024 in Germany awaits.

Sam Walters

Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves – Betfred Super League – Headingley Stadium — Sam Walters made the surprise switch from Leeds to Wigan (Richard Sellers/PA)

The 6ft 6in Walters was one of the more dependable figures in another testing rugby league season for Leeds Rhinos, so it came as a great surprise that he was allowed to leave to join rivals and reigning Super League champions Wigan. Walters’ speed and power can only make the champions stronger.

Jannik Sinner

Australia v Italy – Davis Cup 2023 – Final – Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena — Jannik Sinner is hoping to threaten the established order (Adam Davy/PA)

Speedy baseliner Sinner has been threatening to move into serious grand slam title contention for some time and the signs are that 2024 could be his year. Sinner won two of four meetings with Novak Djokovic – including a dramatic Davis Cup rubber – and more of the same is seemingly assured for 2024.

Luca Brecel

Cazoo World Snooker Championship 2023 – Day 17 – Final – The Crucible — A shot at a second world snooker title beckons for Luca Brecel (Zac Goodwin/PA)

He probably will not practice and will be one of the first to write off his chances. But enigmatic Belgian Luca Brecel will return to the Crucible in April as the defending world snooker champion – and one of the few top-level current players who can boast the stamina to get to the end of the 17 gruelling days.

Kylian Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain v Newcastle United – UEFA Champions League – Group F – Parc des Princes — Kylian Mbappe is ready to take on the world (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Mbappe might not be in the best of moods in relation to his club career but his importance to France – and his ability to light up the game’s biggest stages – will be in evidence during Euro 2024. Moreover, Mbappe still harbours hopes of appearing as an over-age player at the Paris Olympics.

Keely Hodgkinson

World Athletics Championships 2023 – Day Nine – Budapest — There can be no more silver linings for Keely Hodgkinson (Martin Rickett/PA)

So far it has been a career of so near yet so far for the British 800 metres ace, who has had to settle for silver medals at consecutive world championships, as well as the Tokyo Olympics and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. All eyes will be on her bid to go one better in Paris.

Nat Sciver-Brunt

England Women v Sri Lanka Women – Third Metro Bank ODI – Uptonsteel County Ground — Nat Sciver-Brunt hopes to help England to T20 glory (Joe Giddens/PA)

The all-rounder, who has landed a deal to play for Perth Scorchers in the next women’s Big Bash, will play a pivotal role when England are scheduled to head to Bangladesh in 2024 as one of the favourites to clinch the women’s T20 world title.