- Paris 2024 is Australia’s most successful campaign to date
- Several teams and athletes delivered heart-wrenching performances
There were warning signs when much of the Matildas’ luggage was left behind in Spain, just before the start of the Olympic Games in France.
The fire was not yet extinguished, but in Marseille the alarm bells were already ringing after a 3-0 defeat to Germany, setting the tone for a disappointing elimination in the group stage for the medal candidates in Paris.
Coach Tony Gustavsson promptly left his post and Football Australia boss James Johnson returned home with questions about the pampering, the FA’s relationship with injured captain Sam Kerr and whether Gustavsson had lost the dressing room.
But even at Australia’s biggest Games, they weren’t the only ones struggling.
Back in Paris, the Australian men’s rugby sevens team saw their first Olympic medal slip away after scoring a quick try against South Africa in the bronze medal match.
Tim Walsh’s women then suffered dramatic defeats to Canada and the US – after a breathtaking round-robin performance – and also finished fourth, missing out on the podium for the second time in a row.
It set the tone for more team misery as Australia’s hockey teams finished in the quarter-finals after a disappointing season.
The men were among the top contenders for the gold medal, but never really got going. In the end, the team was defeated 2-0 by the Netherlands, which will probably lead to a thorough overhaul of the selection of the experienced team.
The Matildas (pictured) had a disappointing Olympic Games in Paris and were forced to withdraw early
Both Australian rugby teams with a lot of interest missed out on the podium places
The arrest and imprisonment of Tom Craig, ironically one of the better performers in Paris, for attempting to buy cocaine during a night out, shortly after their loss, only added to the headaches for the organization.
The Hockeyroos were not that promising, but they soon raised hopes. They were impressive and undefeated until eventual silver medallists China beat them 3-2 in the quarter-finals. The team has been known for several questionable decisions, which led to Hockey Australia asking the sport’s governing body for an “explain”.
It was their sixth finish outside the top four since winning their third gold medal in four Games 24 years ago, made all the worse by the fact that China had old Hockeyroos teammates Alyson Annan and Ric Charlesworth in their dugout.
The Opals started badly but finished well, ensuring at least fourth place. The Boomers started well but finished badly.
Coach Brian Goorjian defended his heavily criticized selections and rotations after announcing his departure as coach.
The men’s hockey team was one of the biggest hopes for gold, but never found the first gear
Runner Peter Bol had a disappointing 800m campaign
Rachael Gunn will be remembered for her eccentric break routine
Rowing Australia has launched a review after its lowest medal tally in 36 years. Paris won just one bronze medal, while in Tokyo it won two golds and two bronzes.
Breaking’s Olympic debut will be remembered for Rachael Gunn, aka Raygun, bringing a water pistol to a bazooka fight.
Peter Bol was fourth in Tokyo, but he shot even less in a disappointing 800m campaign. He was eliminated in the repechage round, along with national record holder Joseph Deng.
Rohan Browning, who was not as fast, fared no better. He was eliminated in the 100-meter heats after posting a time 0.23 seconds slower than the 10.01 that had caused a stir in Tokyo.
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Logan Martin was hit by the wobbles while defending his BMX freestyle title, while Chloe Covell failed to land or land a single trick in the street skateboarding final.
A misstep was the last thing the Australian mixed relay team needed as they finished in twelfth place.
And swimmer Sam Short was a star in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle, but only reached the final in the first of those, finishing fourth in one of the Dolphins’ rare missteps.
