Paris Olympics final day: Australian team wraps up with record medal count

August 12, 2024 Keed

Australia concluded its Paris Olympic campaign with remarkable achievements in basketball and cycling.

Finishing with 18 Gold medals and 53 overall, Australia came fourth on the medal tally after the United States, China, and Japan.

The Opals

In one of the most poignant stories of the Games, basketball legend Lauren Jackson made a triumphant return to the Olympic stage at the age of 43.

Jackson, who had been forced into retirement due to knee injuries eight years ago, defied the odds to compete in what is likely her final Olympic appearance.

Having already secured three silver and one bronze medal in her previous Olympic campaigns, Jackson added another bronze to her collection as the Opals defeated Belgium 85-78 in the bronze medal match.

Despite her limited playing time in Paris, Jackson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the team once more.

“It’s soaked in, every single minute, and I will remember it for the rest of my life,” Jackson said.

She also shared a light-hearted moment about her son Lenny, who questioned why she wasn’t getting more court time.

“Lenny’s always like, ‘Mum, why aren’t you getting on the court?’”

Basketball - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 3

Jackson defied the odds to compete in what is likely her final Olympic appearance. Source: Getty / Gregory Shamus

But for the basketball icon, the real joy came from watching her teammates, particularly the younger players, rise to the occasion.

Jackson’s influence on the team, even from the sidelines, was palpable.

The Opals’ bronze medal win was powered by a new generation of talent, with 24-year-old Ezi Magbegor delivering a standout performance that solidified her status as one of the team’s future stars.

Alongside her, 21-year-old Jade Melbourne and 19-year-old Isobel Borlase also made significant contributions, giving Australian basketball fans plenty to look forward to as the team sets its sights on the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Cycling

While the basketball court was the scene of emotional farewells, the velodrome witnessed contests that added to Australia’s impressive medal haul.

Matthew Richardson of Team Australia celebrates winning Silver in the Men’s Keirin Final during the Cycling Track Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the National Veladrome on 11 August, in Paris, France. Source: Getty / Pete Dovgan

Matt Richardson emerged as one of the standout performers in cycling, securing a silver medal in the men’s keirin.

In a fiercely competitive race, Richardson finished just behind Dutch cycling great Harrie Lavreysen, who claimed the gold.

Richardson’s silver was his third medal of the Games, following earlier successes in the team sprint.

Matt Glaetzer, competing in his fourth and final Olympics, also made his mark by winning a bronze medal in the men’s keirin.

This medal was particularly special for Glaetzer, who had endured numerous challenges throughout his career, including injuries and near-misses at previous Games. His perseverance paid off in Paris, as he finally stepped onto the podium in an individual event.

Glaetzer also contributed to Australia’s success in the team sprint, where he and Richardson had previously secured another bronze.

Australia’s cyclists have long been a force to be reckoned with, and the performances in Paris only reinforced this .

Australia ended the Games with a total of 53 medals, including 18 golds, 19 silvers, and 16 bronzes, finishing fourth on the overall medal table.

In Paris

Meanwhile, a climber scaled the north face of the Eiffel Tower in Paris on the last day of the Olympics, before he was met by police mid-way up, French media said.

Videos posted on social media showed the bare-chested climber skirting the Olympic rings as he made his way up the 330m tower without ropes.

In one video, the grinning climber can be heard saying to bystanders “bloody warm, innit?” as he is escorted off the viewing platform by police.

A Paris police spokesperson said they did not have enough details to comment.

The tower operator did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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