TOKYO has already been described as an Olympic Games like no other.
The global coronavirus pandemic postponed the international sports event by 12 months, uncertainty surrounded it every step of the way and questions continue to be raised less than a week out from the opening ceremony.
But almost half of the Hunter's contingent, 19 in total across 14 disciplines, don't know any different as they prepare for their first Olympic experience and fulfil lifelong dreams.
"This Olympics means so much to me," Games rookie Jess Pickering, a trampolinist from Belmont North, said.
"I've always been so goal driven and I've had aspirations of the Olympics since a young age when I first watched trampolining at London in 2012.
"It's so crazy to think that little girl who was watching the Games would actually be competing on that same stage one day."
Eight athletes from the region will be on debut, which includes two in the newly introduced sports of skateboarding and surfing.
Nine help make up the greatest proportion of females (53.5 percent) in an Aussie team and two also fly the Indigenous flag.
RICHIE CAMPBELL
Merewether water polo representative Richie Campbell will undergo a fourth Olympic campaign when he lands in Tokyo.
A veteran of the Sharks squad, this Games also mark his last with the 33-year-old set to retire after previous appearances in Beijing, London and Rio.
MATT DAWSON
Norths hockey defender Matt Dawson returns for his second crack at the Games after debuting with the Kookaburras in Rio.
The 27-year-old has claimed Champions League, World League, Pro League and Commonwealth titles since first playing for the Aussie men's squad in 2014.
ROSE DAVIES
Merewether athlete Rose Davies will be on debut in Tokyo after earning selection to race the women's 5000 metres.
The 21-year-old runner, who clinched the national 10,000m crown in January with victory at Zatopek, clocked an Olympic qualifier in the Netherlands in May.
KATIE EBZERY
Charlestown basketballer Katie Ebzery, 31, remains a key part of the Opals squad, who are keen to get back on the Games podium after missing out in Rio.
The Newcastle Hunters junior, who notched up her 300th WNBL game last season, relocated back to the east coast earlier this year.
SAM FRICKER
Merewether diver who will take his first leap at Olympic level.
First tried the sport at Lambton Pool and was inspired by Matt Mitcham.
ABBEY HARKIN
Born and bred in the Hunter, swimming runs in the family for Abbey Harkin with uncle Peter Coughlan having attended the Olympics in 1976.
TRISTAN HOLLARD
Quit swimming straight after high school, Tristan Hollard opted to give it one more shot after watching Rio on television.
Five years later the Hunter product, who like Harkin also trained at Warners Bay, will make his Olympic debut in the men's 200 metre backstroke.
LEILANI MITCHELL
Seasoned basketball professional who calls Hamilton home.
A two-time WNBA most improved and three-time WNBL champion, Leilani Mitchell has form.
But now at her second Olympics, the 36-year-old Opals guard wants a Games medal.
JESSICA PICKERING
Belmont North trampolinist in the form of her life.
The 20-year-old was fifth in Italy and fourth in Portugal at World Cup events over the last two months.
Olympic rookie Jessica Pickering started her career at Eastlakes under now national coach Brett Austine.
NATHAN POWER
The water polo player, 28, recently returned home from a season in Spain where he overcame COVID-19.
DAN REPACHOLI
No stranger to the Olympic stage, this Cessnock shooter is back for a fifth Games in Tokyo.
Three-time Commonwealth champion Dan Repacholi, 39, will contest the men's 10 metre air pistol and the new mixed event over the same distance.
AARON ROYLE
It saw the Maryland triathlete, 31, rewarded with a ticket to Tokyo and a second Olympics. Mixed relay could also be on the agenda.
JAIME RYAN
The last of the Hunter contingent to depart the region this week, Coal Point sailor Jaime Ryan returns to Olympic competition but in a different class.
The 27-year-old will contest the women's 49er FX alongside Tess Lloyd after debuting at Rio in 470.
WILL RYAN
The 32-year-old and sailing partner Mat Belcher, who have twice been world champions, claimed silver for the men's 470 in Rio.
POPPY OLSEN
The 21-year-old will contest the women's park event and prepares at the X-Games in the US.
SPENCER TURRIN
Dungog rower who spent part of last year's coronavirus lockdown training out of his parent's garage.
Spencer Turrin, 29, will compete in the men's fours at Tokyo after finishing sixth in the pairs final at Rio.
EMILY VAN EGMOND
The 28-year-old midfielder recently notched up 100 games for the Aussie women's soccer team and has been to three World Cups.
MARIAH WILLIAMS
Hunter Sports High School graduate who spent last year's COVID-19 break with her parents in Teralba.
The striker snuck in a game for Souths before returning to the Hockeyroos base in Perth.
This will be Mariah Williams's second Olympics.
JULIAN WILSON
An adopted Novocastrian who splits his time between Merewether and the Sunshine Coast, Julian Wilson earned the nod to represent Australia's first ever Olympic surfing team based on results from last year's world tour.
