The 2024 Paris Olympics was an extraordinary year for Australian sports, showcasing some of our athletes' most impressive performances yet. The excitement of the Games swept the nation, with a staggering 14.8 million Australians tuning into the Nine Network during the first four days alone. As the country rallied behind its athletes, sports betting and Australian online casino sites saw significant spikes in activity, especially in events where Australian athletes were expected to dominate.
Record Medals Achieved
Australian athletes excelled this year, securing 18 gold medals and surpassing their previous bests from Athens 2004 and Tokyo 2020. Plenty of memorable moments, including Nina Kennedy's historic pole vault win and strong performances in both the pools and on the tracks, made this Olympics a significant milestone in Australia's sports history.
This was officially Australia’s most successful Olympics to date, with the highlight coming on an action-packed Day 12 when the team brought home four golds and two bronzes, led by outstanding performances from our swimmers. While the total medal count didn’t surpass the record set in Sydney in 2000, this year saw Australia achieve its highest number of gold medals at a single Games.
Gold Standard Olympians
Several Australian athletes not only lived up to their expectations but surpassed them, delivering unforgettable performances. Let's take a moment to spotlight the Olympians who truly made a mark at the Paris Games.
Mollie O’Callaghan
One of the Australians who delivered on their promise in the pool this summer was Mollie O’Callaghan. The 20-year-old from Queensland was the favorite for the gold medal in all of her events in Paris this year after winning two golds and a bronze in Tokyo. She delivered on her potential in excellent fashion, winning the top prizes in the 200m freestyle, 4 x 100m freestyle, and the 4 x 200m freestyle. O’Callaghan also added further medals in the pool after claiming silver in the 4 x 100m medley and bronze in the 4 x 100m mixed relay.
Kaylee McKeown
Australian swimmers dominated in the pool in Paris this summer, with Kaylee McKeown adding more gold to her collection. The reigning 100m and 200m backstroke Olympic champion successfully defended her titles in Paris, winning gold in both events. She was also part of the 4 x 100m medley team that won silver and the mixed relay team in the 4 x 100m medley. McKeown has won a staggering nine medals at the Olympics and will be a leading medal hope again in four years.
Park Skateboarding
Paris's men’s and women’s park skateboarding events were successful this summer. Keegan Palmer was excellent in the competition against the men, scoring a tournament-best total of 93.11 to beat Tom Schaar in the battle for the gold medal. Arisa Trew completed a memorable double in the event for Australia to win the women’s gold medal with a score of 93.18, beating Kokona Hiraki and Sky Brown.
Matthew Wearn
Matthew Wearn was handed the honor of being one of the nation’s flag bearers for the Closing Ceremony after successfully defending his Olympic title in the Laser sailing event. The Australian scored the fewest points throughout the event and was dominant in the final round to keep his cool and hold off the pressure from Pavlos Kontides and Stefano Peschiera.
Jessica Fox
Jessica Fox has been an Olympic hero for Australia throughout her career, winning the silver medal on her debut at the Games in 2012 when aged just 12. She was a bronze medalist in successive events in 2016 and 2020, but she finally got her hands on the prized gold medal in Paris this year. She won the top prize in the K1 event. Meanwhile, her dominance in the C1 event continued after retaining the Olympic title she previously won in Tokyo. She has won six Olympic medals, making her the most successful canoe slalom paddler in history.
Nina Kennedy
Australia’s record haul of gold medals was completed in the Pole Vault on the 12th day of action, as Nina Kennedy upset the odds to win the top prize in a competitive field. She was the only Vaulter to clear a height of 4.90, meaning she finished .5 clear of Katie Moon of the United States, who had to settle for second spot in the results.
Looking Ahead
Australia’s athletes have certainly made their mark at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Their impressive performances have captured the nation’s attention and set a high bar for future competitions. It’s a proud moment that underlines our athletes' dedication and hard work. Their success in Paris is a source of inspiration and will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
