Paris Olympics 2024 wrap: Saya Sakakibara, Cam McEvoy, Kaylee McKeown and more
1. Flying Saya
This will take some topping as the most tear-jerking moment of the Olympics.
Years after her brother suffered a traumatic brain injury in the sport, then she was carted away in an ambulance from the track in Tokyo, Saya Sakakibara dominated the women’s BMX racing final to win gold.
The 24-year-old also revealed she had been battling COVID, said it felt like her brother Kai was out on the track with her and watched her boyfriend, Frenchman Romain Mahieu, win bronze in the men’s event.
This was the showpiece moment in one of our country’s great Olympic nights.
Camera IconSaya Sakakibara. Credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images2. Not-so-mad scientist
Two years ago, a holiday in Paris inspired Cam McEvoy to return to swimming and compete in these Olympics. A year ago, the swimmer-turned-physicist prepared a dossier outlining how he would win gold — then he did it.
McEvoy stormed home past American star Caeleb Dressel and just edged out Great Britain’s Ben Proud by 0.05 seconds to become the first Australian to ever win the 50m freestyle.
It was the only event McEvoy had contested at the Australian trials and he turned himself into a power athlete, rarely swimming much more than a lap in each training session.
At 30, he is now our oldest gold medallist and has reinvented how sprint swimmers train.
Camera IconCameron McEvoy. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images3. Our humble hero
You won’t hear it from Kaylee McKeown’s mouth, but the world’s best backstroke swimmer is now one of our finest-ever Olympians.
McKeown claimed her second gold of these Olympics and scored an historic double-double when she defended the women’s 200m backstroke crown, 72 hours after going back-to-back in the 100m.
Her four gold medals in individual events is the best tally by an Australian ever and she is now nipping at the heels of close friend Emma McKeon’s record six total golds.
Camera IconKaylee McKeown. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images4. Marchand, Marchand!
This is France’s Cathy Freeman moment.
Toulose-born master Leon Marchand held four fingers to the camera, then two fists to the sky after punching through the water to claim the win the 200m men’s individual medley and his fourth gold medal at his home Games.
Marchand maintained his grip over these Olympics and the French public, also claiming his fourth Olympic record.
The 22-year-old has a reserved smile that lights up Paris’ La Defense Arena each team he stands on the top step of the podium, and even President Emmanuel Macron was sent into raptures.
Camera IconLeon Marchand. Credit: Sarah Stier/Getty Images5. A rowing breakthrough!
Western Australia’s Annabelle McIntyre and her partner Jess Morrison finally ended a lean run for the Aussies at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium with a bronze medal in the women’s pairs final.
World-champion Netherlands pair Ymkje Clevering and Veronique Meester are such a dominant force that this always loomed as a race for silver — which the Aussies were beaten too by Romania.
But after a tough week for our rowing team, this was a much-needed piece of success.
Camera IconBronze medalists Jess Morrison and Annabelle McIntyre. Credit: Alex Davidson/Getty Images6. Boomers through … JUST
This was a nightmare performance by the Boomers that has been labelled “diabolical” and has left question marks lingering around the future of coach Brian Goorjian.
But after a shock 77-71 loss to Greece and NBA megastar Giannis Antetokounmpo, Australia scraped their way through to the next round anyway.
That’s only after a nervous couple of hours and thanks to a timely win by Canada over Spain, that allowed Australia to go through as one of the best-ranked third-placed qualifiers.
Camera IconThe Boomers lost to Greece. Credit: Pool/Getty Images7. First record on the track
The 4x400m mixed relay is one of the most fun events on the track. But the United States didn’t make it much fun for anyone else.
The USA team of Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon and Kaylyn Brown powered away to a world record time of 3.07:41 — and it was only a heat.
Camera IconVernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Kaylyn Brown and Bryce Deadmon celebrate after breaking the world record. Credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images8. She’s the master
Running alongside the fastest woman on the planet is an imposing task.
But Australia’s Bree Masters rose to the challenge of taking on Sha’Carri Richardson in her heat of the 100m on the track and came in third, landing herself a spot in the semifinal.
Afterwards, she said she saw running next to Richardson as an honour and believes it helped her towards the line.
Camera IconBree Masters interacts with Asimenye Simwaka. Credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images9. Quite the sting
Australia’s two water polo teams have emerged as bolters in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
The Stingers have confirmed their spot in the next stage, even before their final pool match against Hungary, with three wins from their first three games.
The quarter-finals await early next week.
Camera IconTilly Kearns scores a goal. Credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images10. Kookas also through … JUST
They didn’t face the same nervous wait as the Boomers, but a wobble in the form of a 3-2 loss to India has left them with a treacherous road to the gold medal now.
Camera IconThe Kookaburras after their loss to India. Credit: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
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