With the 2016 Olympics now over, Australia has finished tenth in the final medal tally, winning a total of 29 medals across 13 events.
Swimming once again proved to be the nation’s strongest sport, bringing in three gold, four silver and three bronze medals.
The 29 total medals is Australia’s seventh highest in Olympics history, but pales in comparison to the success of previous campaigns.
Unsurprisingly, Australia’s highest medal tally of 58 came in 2000, when Sydney hosted the Games.
Australia had more than 600 athletes participate – with the team winning 16 gold, 25 silver and 17 bronze medals across 20 sports ranging from archery to taekwondo.
Despite the effort, Australia finished fourth behind America, Russia and China.
The 2004 Games also proved to be a success for Australia, totaling 49 medals in Athens, with a record 17 gold medals.
Swimmer Petria Thomas was Australia’s most successful athlete, taking home three gold medals and one silver while Ian Thorpe won two gold, one silver and one bronze.
Australia won 48 medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but it was the 2012 Games in London where the decline in medals started.
The Aussies took home 35 medals, with the majority once again coming from swimming.
The meagre eight gold medals was a far-cry from the fourteen won at Beijing.
Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller has since spoken out regarding the challenges of the Olympics in Rio.
“I think what Rio has reminded us is that Olympic medals are not easy to come by. Our efforts here were very, very often close but they fell just short.
“I’m extremely proud of our team. There have been many standout and breakthrough performances and those should be a focus,” she said.
Chiller also spoke to the off-field challenges faced by the Australian athletes.
“This has widely been acknowledged as the toughest Games ever; to prepare for and perform in.
“While Zika was a non-event, security was a massive challenge. Transport had its problems and of course, the Village was problematic at the start.
While there were many security threats and a variety other issues, the Australian team was equally susceptible to these circumstances as other nations participating.
Chiller said that multiple athletes had approached her to apologise for “letting her down.”
“I have told each and every one … they have not let anyone down. I’m not disappointed in them. I am disappointed for them.”
While the Boomers came close to beating Spain, the Tokyo 2020 squad, which will likely feature Ben Simmons and Thon Maker will have even more expectation to medal.
LeBron James is going back to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years. Steph Curry is headed to the games for the…
Olyroos coach Tony Vidmar is refusing to put a line through Nestory Irankunda's hopes of playing at the Paris Olympics after claiming he is…
The 2023-24 NBA season promised so much for the Australian contingent - for a few it’s been the ideal runway to the Paris Olympics…
Basketball superstar Lauren Jackson has been included in the extended Opals squad for the Paris Olympics, despite announcing her retirement from the international scene.…
The Brisbane Olympics stadiums fiasco has had wild twists and turns in just the last few days, but we still might not have seen…
Olympic swimming legend and Australian Sports Commission boss Kieren Perkins has warned that "someone will die" if a multi-sport event that allows athletes to…
