These are Australia’s greatest Olympic moments of all time

Shirley Strickland was a dominant force in hurdling, winning gold in the 80m hurdles at the Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956 Olympics. She also secured a bronze in the 100m sprint in Helsinki. Strickland’s technical brilliance and unwavering dedication to her sport earned her a total of seven Olympic medals, making her one of Australia’s most decorated athletes.

John Landy’s act of sportsmanship during the 1500m final at the Melbourne 1956 Olympics is one of the most celebrated moments in Olympic history. After a fellow competitor, Ron Clarke, fell during the race, Landy stopped to help him up before continuing the race. Despite losing valuable time, Landy caught up and finished third, exemplifying the true spirit of the Olympics.

Betty Cuthbert, also known as the “Golden Girl,” made history at the Melbourne 1956 Olympics by winning three gold medals in track and field. She claimed victory in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, becoming an instant national hero. Cuthbert’s explosive speed and humble demeanour endeared her to fans worldwide and solidified her place as one of Australia’s greatest athletes.

Herb Elliott’s performance in the 1500m at the Rome 1960 Olympics is considered one of the greatest middle-distance runs of all time. Elliott not only won the gold medal but also set a new world record with a time of 3:35.6. His extraordinary achievement remains a benchmark in middle-distance running and highlights his status as one of Australia’s most iconic athletes.

Dawn Fraser is a legend in Australian swimming, known for her extraordinary achievements in the 100m freestyle. She won gold in the event at three consecutive Olympics: Melbourne 1956, Rome 1960, and Tokyo 1964. Her third gold in Tokyo made her the first woman to win the same Olympic event three times. Fraser’s rebellious spirit and unmatched prowess in the pool left an indelible mark on Olympic history.

Dean Lukin became a national hero when he won gold in the super heavyweight division of weightlifting at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics. Lukin, a tuna fisherman from Port Lincoln, South Australia, lifted a combined total of 412.5 kg, securing Australia’s first Olympic weightlifting gold. His victory demonstrated incredible strength and brought weightlifting into the Australian sporting spotlight.

Glynis Nunn’s triumph in the heptathlon at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics was a defining moment in Australian athletics. Nunn’s consistent performance across all seven events earned her the gold medal, making her the first Australian woman to win an Olympic heptathlon.

Duncan Armstrong’s unexpected victory in the 200m freestyle at the Seoul 1988 Olympics is one of Australia’s most celebrated swimming moments. Coached by the legendary Laurie Lawrence, Armstrong broke the world record and defeated a field of highly favoured competitors. His time of 1:47.25 secured him the gold medal and solidified his place in Australian sporting history.

The Australian men’s coxless four rowing team, known as the Oarsome Foursome, captured the nation’s imagination with their gold medal performance at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Comprised of Nick Green, Mike McKay, James Tomkins, and Andrew Cooper, the team dominated their competition, winning by a significant margin. Their camaraderie and collective strength set a new standard for Australian rowing and inspired future generations.

Kieren Perkins’ dominance in the 1500m freestyle spanned two Olympic Games, cementing his legacy as one of Australia’s greatest swimmers. At Barcelona 1992, he set a new Olympic record, winning by nearly 10 seconds. His resilience shone at Atlanta 1996, starting from lane eight and leading to his second consecutive gold. Perkins’ performances exemplified determination and skill, marking the beginning of a distinguished career in the pool and solidifying his place in Australian sporting history.

The Australian women’s field hockey team, known as the Hockeyroos, enjoyed a golden era in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their back-to-back gold medal victories at the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympics showcased their dominance in the sport. Coached by Ric Charlesworth, the team played with skill, precision, and a relentless drive, cementing their legacy as one of Australia’s most successful Olympic teams.

Cathy Freeman’s triumph in the women’s 400m final at the Sydney 2000 Olympics is etched in the hearts of Australians. As the face of the Games, the pressure on Freeman was immense. Donning a sleek, full-body suit, she sprinted her way to victory in front of a home crowd, uniting a nation and symbolising hope and reconciliation for Indigenous Australians. Her win in 49.11 seconds remains one of the most emotional and inspiring moments in Olympic history.

The Australian women’s water polo team made history at the Sydney 2000 Olympics by winning the inaugural women’s water polo gold medal. In a thrilling final against the United States, Australia clinched victory with a last-second goal by Yvette Higgins, securing a 4-3 win. This triumph was a significant milestone for Australian women’s sports and showcased the talent and determination of the team.

Ian Thorpe, known as the Thorpedo, left an indelible mark on Olympic history with his exceptional swimming prowess. Competing across multiple Games, Thorpe’s standout moment came at Sydney 2000, where he won three gold and two silver medals, setting a world record in the 400m freestyle. His dominance continued at Athens 2004 with two more golds and a silver. Thorpe’s total of five gold and three silver medals made him Australia’s most successful Olympian, at the time. His remarkable performances and record-breaking achievements cemented his legacy as one of the greatest swimmers of all time.

Matthew Mitcham’s gold medal in the men’s 10m platform diving at the Beijing 2008 Olympics is one of the most remarkable achievements in Olympic history. Mitcham delivered a perfect dive in the final round, scoring a near-perfect 112.10 points. His total score of 537.95 secured him the gold medal, making him the first Australian male to win an Olympic gold medal in diving since 1924.

Anna Meares’ incredible comeback at the London 2012 Olympics is a story of resilience and determination. After a career-threatening crash in 2008, Meares fought her way back to the top of track cycling. In London, she faced her arch-rival, Victoria Pendleton of Great Britain, in the sprint final. Meares delivered a masterful performance, defeating Pendleton and claiming the gold medal, proving her status as one of the greatest track cyclists of all time.

Sally Pearson’s victory in the 100m hurdles at the London 2012 Olympics was a defining moment for Australian athletics. In a thrilling final, Pearson narrowly edged out her competitors to win gold with an Olympic record time of 12.35 seconds.

Chloe Esposito’s gold medal in the modern pentathlon at the Rio 2016 Olympics was a historic achievement for Australia. Esposito’s remarkable performance across fencing, swimming, show jumping, and the combined running and shooting event earned her the top spot on the podium. Her victory marked Australia’s first ever medal in the modern pentathlon.

The Australian women’s rugby sevens team made history at the Rio 2016 Olympics by winning the first-ever gold medal in the sport. The team dominated the competition, showcasing their speed, skill, and teamwork. In the final, they defeated New Zealand 24-17 in a thrilling match, cementing their place as pioneers in women’s rugby and inspiring a new generation of female athletes.

Ariarne Titmus delivered outstanding performances at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, winning gold in both the 200m and 400m freestyle. Her rivalry with American swimmer Katie Ledecky made headlines, and Titmus’ victories in these events were thrilling to watch. Her 400m freestyle win, where she surged ahead in the final lap, was particularly memorable and showcased her incredible talent and determination.

Emma McKeon had a record-breaking Olympics at Tokyo 2020, winning seven medals in total, including four gold and three bronze. McKeon’s gold medals came in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, and 4x100m medley relay. Her remarkable achievements made her the most decorated Australian Olympian in a single Games and cemented her place in Olympic history.

Logan Martin made history by winning the inaugural BMX freestyle event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Martin’s high-flying tricks and flawless runs earned him the gold medal, showcasing his incredible skill and daring. His victory was a proud moment for Australia and highlighted the growing popularity of BMX freestyle.