Paris 2024 has turned out to be most successful Olympics for Australia ever.
The Australian team finished fourth on the medal tally, coming home with a total of 53 medals: 18 gold, 19 silver, and 16 bronze.
Before this, Australia’s highest gold count was 17, from Athens 2004 and Tokyo 2020. But Sydney 2000 still holds the record for the most total medals, with 58 (16 gold, 25 silver, and 17 bronze).
Road cyclist Grace Brown kicked things off with a gold in the women’s time trial. Nina Kennedy made history as the first Australian woman to win Olympic gold in the pole vault. That gold made it Australia’s 18th at Paris 2024, marking their most successful Olympics yet.
Matthew Denny’s bronze in the discus throw was Australia’s first in 128 years. Jessica Hull’s silver in the women’s 1500m was medal number 50 at Paris.
Five Aussies – Matt Wearn (sailing), Jessica Fox (canoe), Keegan Palmer (skateboarding), Kaylee McKeown (swimming), and Ariarne Titmus (swimming) – defended their Olympic titles like champs. Swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan was Australia’s standout athlete, snagging three golds, a silver, and a bronze.
And 14-year-old skateboarder Arisa Trew stole the show as the youngest Australian Olympic medallist ever, breaking Sandra Morgan’s 68-year-old record.
Australia’s run also had its share of viral moments. Rachael Gunn, aka Raygun, broke the internet as Australia’s first Olympic breakdancer. Though she didn’t score any points and got knocked out in the round robin stage, she defended her performance.
“All my moves are original,” Gunn said. “Creativity is really important to me. I go out there and I show my artistry.
Australia’s Chef de Mission Anna Meares also weighed in on the online criticism.
“I love Rachael, and I think that what has occurred on social media with trolls and keyboard warriors, and taking those comments and giving them air time, has been really disappointing,” Meares said at a news conference on Saturday.
