Glaetzer, who overcame thyroid cancer and a torn calf in the lead up to the Games, also finished fourth in the team sprint alongside Nathan Hart and Matthew Richardson.

After earning a spot in the keirin final, Glaetzer and the rest of the field was caught by surprise when British star Jason Kenny went for home with three laps to go and was unable to be caught as he won his seventh gold medal.

"To be honest I'm so glad it's over, I gave it my all, it's been a really tough prep, really long and been focused to take it one race at a time," Glaetzer said.

"It's been a difficult road to get here and I made sure I put my best foot forward and left it all out on the track and I'm happy I did that.

"That's sport, you can only do your best and sometimes things need to fall your way and unfortunately they haven't for me personally in terms of medals.

"There's always such a big focus on medals in our sport but I'm really proud to be here representing my country, doing the best I physically can, and yet it would be nice to get a souvenir at the end of it, I have a larger perspective on things these days and I'm privileged to ride my bike for Australia.

"I'm grateful to be living this life at the moment and I tell you what, I'm looking forward to my holiday."

That holiday is expected to be for at least the rest of this year.

"I can guarantee you I won't be at the world championships this year, I'm going to take at least four months off, I need it," Glaetzer said.

"The extra 12 months gave me a free kick to get my body right for these Games but it was tough, so I'm looking forward to getting back to my friends and family and enjoy not being an athlete for a while, just relax."

Annette Edmondson was equally as reflective after closing her third Olympic campaign with 12th in the women's omnium.

The former world champion and Olympic medallist says it's the last time she will race at Olympic level.

"It's not what we were expecting, I think we learned that from day one after the first event when we came home with fifth (in the team pursuit) and believed we were on track for gold," Edmondson said.

"The (12 month Tokyo) postponement was hard for everyone but it might have been harder for the older athletes who were counting down the days.

"For the younger ones it gave them an extra year of development, that's not to say I didn't think I was in my best form, I put my hand up for all of the events, and I believe I earnt my position but I don't think we had the legs as a team that we thought we did.

"I think physically I might have one more (Games) in me but it's been a big challenge and I've really enjoyed my three editions but I think I might be finished.

"This last year has made me realise I am proud, as an athlete I'm never satisfied but the idea of it being postponed made me look back at my career and be thankful of what I did get which has helped me handle the disappointment here.

"I would have liked to have gone out with a bang but it wasn't to be so I've just got to be thankful for the opportunity."

Reece Homfray