Australia backed up their heroics from Tokyo with another excellent performance in the Olympic pool in Paris, finishing second on the medal tally with seven gold, eight silver and three bronze medals.
Gold went to Ariarne Titmus (400m Freestyle), Kaylee McKeown (100m-200m Backstroke), Cameron McEvoy (50m Freestyle), Mollie O’Callaghan (200m Freestyle), the women’s 4x100m Freestyle relay and the women’s 4x200m Freestyle relay.
Kaylee left records in her wake as she became the first Australian Olympian to earn four individual gold medals and the first Australian to defend a double Olympic crown. She was also the only swimmer, male or female, to complete the backstroke double at consecutive Games.
The women’s program continued to drive the gold medal results, with Cam the only Australian man to top the podium. But there were some superb performances from the men, with Zac Stubblety-Cook, Elijah Winnington and Kyle Chalmers among the silver medal winners in their individual events.
A wave of COVID swept through the Dolphins and multiple swimmers swam bravely through illness. Others were forced to withdraw from events, including Lani Pallister in the 1500m, but she went home with gold as part of the 200m Freestyle relay.
It was the final meet for Dolphins great Emma McKeon, who finished her career with a silver medal as part of the women’s medley relay, taking her career tally to 14.
In the Marathon Swimming program, it was silver in the Seine for Moesha Johnson. Taking to the podium on her debut she became Australia’s most successful Olympic Marathon Swimmer.
