Supported by a nation of sports-lovers, athletes continue to shine on the world’s biggest sporting stage, becoming history-making Olympians and Paralympians – and sporting heroes.
Discover the incredible journeys and achievements of Olympic athletes and Paralympic athletes – and meet the new stars soon to become household names.
The moments that stopped sport-lovers in our tracks, gave us chills, and went down in Games history – inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Cathy Freeman | The Olympic moment that truly stopped the nation, Cathy won gold in the 400-metres in front of a roaring home crowd and huge TV audience at Sydney 2000.
Ellie Cole | Claiming her 17th Paralympic medal in Tokyo, Cole became Australia's most decorated female Paralympian with six gold, five silver and six bronze medals from four Paralympic Games.
Emma McKeon | 2024 Young Australian of the Year, Emma became the first female swimmer and the second woman in history to win seven medals in a single Olympics at Tokyo 2020.
Ian Thorpe | Ian and his size 17 feet soared to fame during Sydney 2000, winning three gold and two silver medals in swimming – becoming the most successful athlete at the Games at just 17yrs.
Patty Mills | As co-captain, Mills led Australia to earn their first ever Olympic medal in men’s basketball, beating Slovenia in the bronze medal game at Tokyo 2020.
Dylan Alcott | The trailblazing Paralympian won gold in wheelchair basketball at Beijing 2008, before winning gold in wheelchair tennis at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Madison de Rozario | Champion endurance para-athlete, de Rozario won gold in the women’s T54 marathon by a hair-raising one second lead at Tokyo 2020, along with gold in the 800m T53.
At Paris 2024, our Australian Olympians and Paralympians soared to new heights, shattered world records, and etched their names in history.
Jess Fox | Etched her name in the history books with gold in the Canoe Slalom C1 and K1, becoming the first Australian to win medals in the same event at four successive Games, joining the elite group of Australian Olympians with five individual medals.
Cameron McEvoy | Following bronze medals at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, he was on the hunt for gold. Overhauling his training reigme, he became the first Australian male to win a 50m freestyle race at the Olympic Games.
Grace Brown | Ahead of the Games, she announced 2024 would be her last year in professional cycling and she went out with a bang, securing Australia’s first gold medal of Paris 2024 and the nation's first in the women’s road cycling time trial.
Nina Kennedy | Already a world champion, she came to Paris as world number one. After nearly five hours of competition, she what crowned an Olympic champion, becoming the first Australian woman to win gold in an athletics field event and first person to ever win Australia's 18th gold medal at an Olympic Games.
Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager | The duo came into Paris 2024 as the world record holders and reigning world champions in the Para rowing PR3 Mixed Doubles Sculls. With the event featuring for the first time at the Paralympic Games, Ayers and Altschwager won Australia’s first-ever gold in Para rowing.
Lauren Parker | Became the first Australian Paralympian in 48 years to win two gold medals in two sports at the same Games after taking gold in the women’s H1-4 cycling road race and PTWC Triathlon. She also claimed silver in the women’s H1-3 cycling individual time trial.
Vanessa Low | It was back-to-back golds in the long jump - T63, breaking her own world record (5.45m) with the first jump of the final.
Curtis McGrath | After defending his KL2 title at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, Australia's top Para canoeist sealed his place as one of the all-time greats, winning gold in the event for a third consecutive Games.
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We recognise it is our collective efforts and responsibility as individuals, communities and governments to ensure equality, recognition and advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across all aspects of society and everyday life, including sport. We are committed to building a deeper connection with First Nations Peoples through meaningful listening and authentic engagement. We celebrate and honour all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Olympians and Paralympians past and present and we are committed to honouring their unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and the rich contribution they have made and continue to make to society and sport.
