This week we welcomed home our Australian Paralympians, which officially marked the end of Australia’s 2024 Paris campaign. Let’s relive some of the most notable moments of one of Australia’s best campaigns in Olympic and Paralympic history.
The Australian Paralympic team were welcomed home this week in a highly emotional event. Across 11 days of fierce competition, Australia’s best para-athletes have produced an amazing show that empowered the nation. They secured a top 10 finish on the medal table, leaving a massive mark on the global Paralympian movement.
Australia’s 160 athletes showed great talent to win medals in nine of the seventeen sports they contested. The Australian Paralympic Team won 18 gold medals, 17 silver and 28 bronze, hauling a total of 63 medals, finishing 9th on the overall medal tally, to finish ahead of major Paralympic powers such as Japan, Germany, and Canada.
Harvey Norman ambassadors Madison de Rozario and Chris Bond, along with Harvey Norman employee Rheed McCraken all brought home medals from the 2024 Paralympic Games. Madi came home with one bronze in the Women’s 5000m T54, along with taking home a silver in an inspirational effort in the Women’s marathon T54. Chris Bond and the Steelers came away with a bronze medal, showing the world the strength of Australian Wheelchair Rugby. This was Chris’ third medal from four Games. Rheed McCracken’s bronze medal in the 800m T34 means he has won medals at each of the four past Paralympic Games.
2024 was also an unbelievable year for the Australian Olympic Team. The 2024 Paris campaign was Australia’s most successful Olympic games. These games captured the hearts of all Australians with every event being a potential medal opportunity.
Australia came 4th overall on the medal count, an amazing feat for a country with a population of 26 million. An overall tally of 18 Gold Medals, 19 Silver Medals and 16 Bronze Medals. 18 Gold Medals is the highest number ever attained by Australia in an Olympic Games.
The Australian Olympic Team were also welcomed home in a similar event on the 14th of August. This was an opportunity for all associated with the Olympics to welcome home the phenomenal group of individuals that did Australia so proud. The event began at 6.30am, meaning early starts for a lot of attendees. There were spectacular performances from Jessica Mauboy and the Qantas girls’ choir. The athletes then descended from the plane to a crowd of cheers, with tears flowing all throughout the hangar!
Harvey Norman had two Ambassadors compete at these games, Ariarne Titmus and Jeff Dunne. A shining light of these games was the success of Ariarne Titmus, winning gold in the 400m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle relay, along with two silvers in both the women’s 200m freestyle and women’s 800m freestyle. Jeff Dunne made the country proud in the debut of breaking at the Olympics. He showed grit and determination to compete at the Olympics at the age of 16! J-Attack ultimately ended up competing against the top 2 breakers in the world, exemplifying the impressiveness of his campaign.
If you missed any of the Paralympic or Olympic action, 9now has replays of all events and highlights. Now our attention turns to LA2028 and even Brisbane 2032, where Australia is heavily touted to repeat their unbelievable efforts of Paris 2024!