The Paris 2024 Olympic Games marked a historic milestone for Australian sport, with Team Australia delivering one of its strongest performances on the global stage. After the disruptions of the Tokyo Games and amid rising international competition, Australia finished in 7th place on the medal table , securing a total of 53 medals — 19 gold, 18 silver, and 16 bronze .
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From seasoned champions to emerging stars, the Australian team showcased resilience, talent, and determination across a wide range of sports. Here’s a look at the standout athletes, memorable moments, and how expectations matched reality at the Paris Olympics.
Swimming Dominance Continues
As always, swimming was Australia’s most successful discipline, contributing over 30% of the nation’s total medals . The Australian Dolphins continued their legacy as one of the world’s top aquatic teams.
- Ariarne Titmus (Women’s 200m and 400m Freestyle) – Titmus lived up to her “Terminator” nickname by defending her 400m freestyle title and adding gold in the 200m. She also anchored the 4x200m freestyle relay team to victory.
- Kaylee McKeown (Women’s 100m and 200m Backstroke) – McKeown became a double Olympic champion once again, breaking the world record in the 200m backstroke and helping Australia win silver in the 4x100m medley relay.
- Mollie O’Callaghan (Women’s 100m Freestyle and 200m Freestyle Silver) – A breakout star of the Games, O’Callaghan narrowly missed gold in the 100m but showed incredible promise for future cycles.
- Ian Hanson (Men’s 200m Breaststroke Bronze) – Represented a new generation of male swimmers stepping into the spotlight.
Despite strong challenges from the United States and China, Australia maintained its reputation as a swimming powerhouse.
Cycling Shines on the Track and Road
Australian cyclists had a remarkable Games, particularly on the velodrome and time trial circuits.
- Stephanie Morton (Women’s Sprint Gold) – Morton won Australia’s first-ever women’s sprint gold, a long-awaited breakthrough after years of near-misses.
- Matthew Glaetzer (Men’s Omnium Silver) – His consistency across all events earned him a well-deserved podium finish.
- Sarah Gigante (Women’s Road Race Bronze) – In only her second major international event, Gigante impressed with her endurance and tactical racing, giving Australia hope for the future of women’s road cycling.
The cycling program in Paris helped Australia secure several unexpected medals, reinforcing its status as a multi-sport powerhouse.
Rowing and Kayaking Deliver Big Moments
Water-based sports beyond swimming also contributed significantly:
- Jessica Morrison, Annabelle McIntosh, Rosemary Popa, and Olympia Aldersey (Women’s Coxed Four Gold) – This crew delivered an emotional gold, continuing Australia’s proud tradition in women’s rowing.
- Lani Pallister (Women’s 800m Freestyle Bronze) – Following in the footsteps of her mother, Kieren Perkins’ former teammate, Pallister made her mark with a stunning swim in the final.
- Jean van der Westhuyzen and Thomas Birtwhistle (PR3 Mixed Double Sculls Silver) – Their synchronized performance brought home a hard-fought silver medal.
Canoe sprinters like Noemie Fox (daughter of Olympic kayaker Myriam Jerusalmi) also performed strongly, winning bronze in the women’s kayak single 500m.
Athletics and Gymnastics: Emerging Talent
While not as dominant as in previous games, athletics still provided key highlights:
- Diana Taurasi (Marathon Silver) – At 42, Taurasi defied age expectations and led the marathon field for much of the race before finishing second.
- Tobia Bocchi (Men’s Shot Put Silver) – His personal best throw earned Australia a rare athletics medal and signaled the arrival of a new force in throwing events.
In gymnastics, Georgia Godwin narrowly missed out on an individual medal but played a crucial role in the women’s team finishing fourth — Australia’s best result since 2004.
Team Sports: Mixed Results
Australia’s traditionally strong team sports had varied success in Paris:
- Women’s Hockey (Hockeyroos) – Finished 4th after a heartbreaking semi-final loss to the Netherlands.
- Men’s Basketball (Boomers) – Failed to medal despite high expectations, finishing 6th.
- Women’s Rugby Sevens – Secured a bronze medal , continuing their dominance since the sport’s inclusion in 2016.
- Beach Volleyball – Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar reached the semifinals, falling just short of the podium but earning praise for their resilience.
Despite some disappointments, the team sports showcased depth and passion that will fuel future campaigns.
