During the middle weekend of the Paris Olympics, the halfway point of the Games, Australia’s athletes are eyeing history. At the end of day eight, the Australians have won 12 golds, eight silvers and seven bronze medals (plus another guaranteed). It is the nation’s most successful start to an Olympics, surpassing the 11 gold medals won by Australia in the first eight days in Athens. Australia sit fourth on the medal tally.
With eight days of action remaining, Australia’s burgeoning haul leaves the team on the cusp of a historic feat. Twice before, the Australian Olympic team has returned from a Games with 17 gold medals – in Athens in 2004, and in Tokyo three years ago. At the halfway point of Paris 2024, there is every chance that benchmark could be broken. Even accounting for medal inflation – 301 golds were handed out in Athens, 340 in Tokyo and an anticipated 329 in Paris – Australia’s start to the Games is unprecedented.
