- Paris 2024 is Australia’s most successful campaign to date
- Several teams and athletes had heartbreaking performances
There were warning signs when much of the Matildas’ luggage was left in Spain ahead of their Olympic opener in France.
The flame had yet to be lit but alarm bells were ringing in Marseille after a 3-0 defeat to Germany set the tone for a disappointing group stage exit for the medal hopefuls in Paris.
Coach Tony Gustavsson quickly left his post and Football Australia boss James Johnson came home with questions about coddling, the FA’s relationship with injured superstar captain Sam Kerr and whether Gustavsson had missed the dressing room.
But even during Australia’s most golden Games, they were not alone in their struggles.
Back in Paris, Australia’s men’s rugby sevens team saw their first Olympic medal slip away thanks to a try after the siren against South Africa in the bronze medal game.
Tim Walsh’s women then nosedived in shock defeats to Canada and the US, following impressive preliminary round form, to also finish fourth and miss out on the podium for a second straight Games.
This set the tone for further team misfortunes: Australia’s hockey teams were stuck in the quarter-finals after contrasting campaigns.
The men were among the main hopes for gold but never found their first gear and were eventually beaten 2-0 by the Netherlands in what is likely to trigger a roster overhaul for the experienced side.
The Matildas (pictured) had a disappointing Paris Olympics and retired early.
Both highly-rated Australian rugby teams missed out on the podium places.
The arrest and detention of Tom Craig, ironically one of Paris’ top artists, for attempting to buy cocaine on a night out shortly after his defeat only created more headaches for the organization.
The Hockeyroos were underdogs but quickly raised hopes, impressive and unbeaten until eventual silver medallists China rocked them in a 3-2 quarter-final defeat remembered for several questionable decisions that prompted a “please explain” from Hockey Australia to the sport’s governing body.
It was their sixth finish outside the top four since winning a third gold in four Games 24 years ago, made worse by the fact China had old Hockeyroos bosses Alyson Annan and Ric Charlesworth in their dugout.
The Opals started poorly and finished well to secure at least fourth place, while the Boomers started well but finished poorly.
Coach Brian Goorjian has come out to defend his much-criticized selections and rotations after announcing his departure as coach.
The men’s hockey team was among the main hopes for gold, but never found its way into first gear.
Runner Peter Bol had a disappointing 800m campaign
Rachael Gunn will be remembered for her eccentric break routine
Rowing Australia has begun a review after its lowest medal haul in 36 years, leaving Paris with just one bronze after winning two golds and two bronzes in Tokyo.
Breaking’s Olympic debut will be remembered for Rachael Gunn, aka Raygun, who brought a water pistol to a bazooka fight.
Fourth in Tokyo, Peter Bol fired even fewer shots in a disappointing 800m campaign, where he finished in the repechage round alongside national record holder Joseph Deng.
Rohan Browning, who was off the pace, fared no better, and was eliminated in the 100m heats after clocking a time 0.23 seconds slower than the 10.01 that made headlines in Tokyo.
Logan Martin struggled to defend his BMX freestyle title while Chloe Covell failed to land or land a trick in the street skate final.
A setback was the last thing Australia’s mixed triathlon relay team needed as they finished 12th.
And swimmer Sam Short was a sure bet in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle, but only made it to the final in the first of them, finishing fourth in one of the Dolphins’ rare mistakes.