Tokyo in Numbers | Athletics Team Review
Published Tue 10 Aug 2021
Athletics Australia would like to congratulate the Australian Olympic Athletics Team for Tokyo on its most successful performance at an Olympic Games since London 2012.
The 63-strong team made a lasting impression on the world stage, when they collectively won three medals, including one silver and two bronze, along with a number of inspiring performances at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo and at the marathon and race walk courses in Sapporo over 10 days of competition.
On top of the three medals secured for the nation, the team also placed among the top-ten nations on the World Athletics Placing Table, with the contingent that included 38 debutants, delivering 14 top-eight finishes, five Australian records and 20 personal bests.
Some of the highlights of the Games included Nicola McDermott’s performance that saw her sail over a 2.02m bar to break her own Australian record for the third time this year to win silver, Ash Moloney standing up against experience campaigners to claim bronze in the decathlon, as well as reigning world champion Kelsey-Lee Barber who had the weight of the world on her shoulders as she claimed bronze in the women’s javelin final.
Tokyo also delivered a number of historic performances by Australia’s track and field contingent that showcased up-and-coming talent, and gave a taste of what’s to come in the next three-years ahead of the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
Matt Denny threw 67.02m – the furthest an Australian has ever thrown in the men’s discus at the Olympic Games to place fourth, while Brandon Starc soared to 2.35m for the same result in the men’s high jump.
Peter Bol captured the hearts and minds of the Australian public when he became the first Australian in 53 years to make the men’s 800m final after breaking the Australian record not once but twice. Jessica Hull reclaimed the Australian record in the women’s 1500m as part of the resurgence of Australian middle distance, while Linden Hall ran a personal best in the same event.
Rohan Browning’s 10.01 to become the fastest ever Australian at the Olympic Games were complemented by a 10th place finish for Sinead Diver in the women’s marathon, and Rhydian Cowley and Jemima Montag also achieved top-eight results in the 50km and 20km race walks respectively.
On the field Kathryn Mitchell and Mackenzie Little joined Kelsey-Lee Barber in the final, and Brooke Stratton matched her Rio 2016 performance with a leap of 6.83m to place 7th in the long jump.
Athletics Australia CEO Peter Bromley said he was particularly proud of the strength of the team, given the challenging nature of the Tokyo Games cycle.
“No matter the task ahead of them, Australian track and field athletes always represent the country with pride, but I’m particularly proud of this crop of Olympians for their success in Tokyo,” Bromley said.
“Despite the challenges faced by this cohort both in the lead up to the Olympics and on the ground in Tokyo, this team produced some of our best results internationally for many years, highlighted by three medals from Nicola McDermott, Ash Moloney and Kelsey-Lee Barber.”
“While medals is always the goal of a team at the Olympics, it must be noted how well this team did at the Games considering the mix of youth and experience that made up the team.
“We must applaud the number of top-eight performances, Australian records and personal bests, as these results demonstrate the potential across all of our event groups.
“The next chapter for Australian athletics begins today, with our high performance athletes beginning preparations for the World Athletics Championships in Oregon and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, both taking place next year and never before have we been so excited to s see what is to come.
“I’d like to congratulate all 63 Olympians for their contribution to the team’s performance and I’d also like to encourage the Australian public to get behind our Australian track and field team.
“Big things are to come from this crop of talent, and no doubt they’ll continue performing at a level that will inspire Australians across the country.”
By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 10/08/2021
