Australia’s Olympic gold medallists - the champions list

Australian athletes have won 185 gold medals at the Olympics since the modern Summer Games started in 1896. Know all gold medallists.

13 minBy Utathya Nag

Emma McKeon is the most decorated Australian Olympian.

(Getty Images)

Since the modern Olympics first started with Athens 1896, Australian athletes have won 185 gold medals at the Summer Games.

Australia and Greece, in fact, are the only two nations to have had representation in every single edition of the Summer Olympics in the modern era.

Australia have won at least one gold medal in 25 of their 30 appearances at the Summer Games. St Louis 1904, Antwerp 1920, Berlin 1936 and Montreal 1976 are the only editions where the Australian contingent failed to claim a single top podium finish.

Edwin Flack became the first Australian to win a gold medal at the Olympics after clinching the men’s 1500m race at Athens 1896. He also won the gold medal in men’s 800m at the edition.

Meanwhile, Fanny Durack is the first Australian woman to ever win an Olympic gold medal. She topped the podium in the women’s 100m freestyle swimming event at Stockholm 1912.

Of the 185 gold medals, two were won as part of a mixed team. Stan Rowley joined up with English runners to win the men’s 5000m team race at Paris 1900 while a combined team featuring Australian and New Zealand swimmers, competing under the Australasia banner, took the gold in men's 4x200m freestyle relay at Stockholm 1912.

Swimming has accounted for 76 of Australia’s total Olympic gold medal tally. Athletics (22) is the next best.

In terms of top podium finishes, Paris 2024 has been Australia’s most successful campaigns at the Olympics, yielding 18 golds.

Swimmers Emma McKeon is the most decorated Australian athlete at the Olympics with six gold medals. She surpassed Ian Thorpe's five at Paris 2024.

Emma McKeon won four gold at Tokyo 2020 - the record for the most Olympic gold medals won by an Australian in a single edition.

Sailor Bill Northam, who won gold in the 5.5 class at Tokyo 1964 at the age of 59 years and 26 days, is the oldest Australian Olympic gold medallist.

Skateboarder Arisa Trew is the youngest Australian Olympic medallist in history at 14 years and 86 days old. She took the honours when she won the gold medal in the women’s park event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Australia’s total medal tally at the Olympics is 610 - 185 gold, 196 silver and 229 bronze.

Australia Olympic gold medallists - full list

Athens 1896

Edwin Flack - gold medal in men’s 800m (athletics)
Edwin Flack - gold medal in men’s 1500m (athletics)

Paris 1900

Frederick Lane - gold medal in men’s 200m freestyle (swimming)
Frederick Lane - gold medal in men’s 200m obstacle event (swimming)
Combined team (England and Australia) - gold medal in 5000m team race (athletics)

St Louis 1904

London 1908

Australia national team - gold medal in men’s tournament (rugby union)

Stockholm 1912

Fanny Durack - gold medal in women's 100m freestyle (swimming)
Combined team (Australia and New Zealand) - gold medal in men's 4×200m freestyle relay (swimming)

Antwerp 1920

Paris 1924

Nick Winter - gold medal in men’s triple jump (athletics)
Dick Eve - gold medal in men’s plain high diving (diving)
Boy Charlton - gold medal in men’s 1500m freestyle (swimming)

Amsterdam 1928

Bobby Pearce - gold medal in men’s single sculls (rowing)

Los Angeles 1932

Dunc Gray - gold medal in men's 1000m time trial (cycling)
Bobby Pearce - gold medal in men's single sculls (rowing)
Clare Dennis - gold medal in women's 200m breaststroke (swimming)

Berlin 1936

London 1948

John Winter - gold medal in men's high jump (athletics)
Mervyn Wood - gold medal in men's single sculls (rowing)

Helsinki 1952

Marjorie Jackson-Nelson - gold medal in women's 100m (athletics)
Marjorie Jackson-Nelson - gold medal in women's 200m (athletics)
Shirley Strickland - gold medal in women's 80m Hurdles (athletics)
Russell Mockridge - gold medal in men's 1000m time trial (cycling)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's 2000m tandem (cycling)
John Davies - gold medal in men's 200m breaststroke (swimming)

Melbourne 1956

Betty Cuthbert - gold medal in women's 100m (athletics)
Betty Cuthbert - gold medal in women's 200m (athletics)
Shirley Strickland - gold medal in women's 80m hurdles (athletics)
Australian national team - gold medal in women's 4×100m relay (athletics)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's 2000m tandem (cycling)
Jon Henricks - gold medal in men's 100 m freestyle (swimming)
Murray Rose - gold medal in men's 400m freestyle (swimming)
Murray Rose - gold medal in men's 1500m freestyle (swimming)
David Theile - gold medal in men's 100m backstroke (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's 4×200m freestyle relay (swimming)
Dawn Fraser - gold medal in women's 100m freestyle (swimming)
Lorraine Crapp - gold medal in women's 400m freestyle (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in women's 4×100m freestyle relay (swimming)

Rome 1960

Herb Elliott - gold medal in men's 1500m (athletics)
Lawrence Morgan - gold medal in eventing individual (equestrian)
Australian national team - gold medal in eventing team (equestrian)
John Devitt - gold medal in men's 100m freestyle (swimming)
Murray Rose - gold medal in men's 400m freestyle (swimming)
John Konrads - gold medal in men's 1500m freestyle (swimming)
David Theile - gold medal in men's 100m backstroke (swimming)
Dawn Fraser - gold medal in women's 100m freestyle (swimming)

Tokyo 1964

Betty Cuthbert - gold medal in women's 400m (athletics)
Robert Windle - gold medal in men's 1500m freestyle (swimming)
Ian O'Brien - gold medal in men's 200m breaststroke (swimming)
Kevin Berry - gold medal in men's 200m butterfly (swimming)
Dawn Fraser - gold medal in women's 100m freestyle (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's 5½m class (sailing)

Mexico City 1968

Ralph Doubell – gold medal in men's 800m (athletics)
Maureen Caird – gold medal in women's 80m hurdles (athletics)
Lyn McClements – gold medal in women's 100m butterfly (swimming)
Michael Wenden – gold medal in men's 100m freestyle (swimming)
Michael Wenden – gold medal in men's 200m freestyle (swimming)

Munich 1972

Shane Gould - gold medal in women's 200m individual medley (swimming)
Shane Gould - gold medal in women's 200m freestyle (swimming)
Shane Gould - gold medal in women's 400m freestyle (swimming)
Beverley Whitfield - gold medal in women's 200m breaststroke (swimming)
Gail Neall - gold medal in women's 400m individual medley (swimming)
Bradford Cooper - gold medal in men's 400m freestyle (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's star team (sailing)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's dragon team (sailing)

Montreal 1976

Moscow 1980

Michelle Ford - gold medal in women's 800m freestyle (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's 4x100m medley relay (swimming)

Los Angeles 1984

Australian national team - gold medal in men's team pursuit (cycling)
Jon Sieben - gold medal in men’s 200m butterfly (swimming)
Glynis Nunn - gold medal in women’s heptathlon (athletics)
Dean Lukin - gold medal in men’s +110kg (weightlifting)

Seoul 1988

Duncan Armstrong - gold medal in men's 200m freestyle (swimming)
Debbie Flintoff-King - gold medal in women’s 400m hurdles (athletics)
Australia women’s national team - gold medal in women’s tournament (field hockey)

Barcelona 1992

Kathy Watt - gold medal in women's individual road race (cycling)
Matt Ryan - gold medal in individual eventing (equestrian)
Australian national team - gold medal in team eventing (equestrian)
Kieren Perkins - gold medal in men's 1500m freestyle (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's double sculls (rowing)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's coxless fours (rowing)
Clint Robinson - gold medal in men's K-1 1000m (canoeing)

Atlanta 1996

Australian national team - gold medal in team eventing (equestrian)
Australia women’s national team - gold medal in women's tournament (field hockey)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's coxless fours (rowing)
Australian national team - gold medal in women's coxless pairs (rowing)
Michael Diamond - gold medal in men's trap (shooting)
Russell Mark - gold medal in men's double trap (shooting)
Kieren Perkins - gold medal in men's 1500m freestyle (swimming)
Susie O'Neill - gold medal in women's 200m butterfly (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in men's doubles (tennis)

Sydney 2000

Cathy Freeman - gold medal in women's 400m (athletics)
Simon Fairweather - gold medal in men's individual (archery)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s madison (cycling)
Australia women’s national team - gold medal in women’s tournament (field hockey)
Australian national team - gold medal in team eventing (equestrian)
Michael Diamond - gold medal in men’s trap (shooting)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s 470 (sailing)
Australian national team - gold medal in women’s 470 (sailing)
Ian Thorpe - gold medal in men’s 400m freestyle (swimming)
Grant Hackett - gold medal in men’s 1500m freestyle (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s 4x200m freestyle relay (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s 4x100m freestyle relay (swimming)
Susie O'Neill - gold medal in women's 200m butterfly (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in women’s beach volleyball (volleyball)
Lauren Burns - gold medal in women’s 49kg (taekwondo)
Australia women's national team - gold medal in women’s competition (water polo)

Athens 2004

Ian Thorpe - gold medal in men’s 400m freestyle (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in women’s 4x100m freestyle relay (swimming)
Sara Carrigan - gold medal in women’s road race (cycling)
Petria Thomas - gold medal in women’s 100m butterfly (swimming)
Suzanne Balogh - gold medal in women’s trap (shooting)
Ian Thorpe - gold medal in men’s 200m freestyle (swimming)
Jodie Henry - gold medal in women’s 100m freestyle (swimming)
Anna Meares - gold medal in women’s track time trial (cycling)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s pair (rowing)
Grant Hackett - gold medal in men’s 1500m freestyle (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in women’s 4x100m medley relay (swimming)
Chantelle Newbery - gold medal in women’s 10m platform (diving)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s team pursuit (cycling)
Ryan Bayley - gold medal in men’s sprint (cycling)
Ryan Bayley - gold medal in men’s keirin (cycling)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s madison (cycling)
Australia men’s national field hockey team - gold medal in men’s tournament (field hockey)

Beijing 2008

Stephanie Rice - gold medal in women’s 400m individual medley (swimming)
Lisbeth Trickett - gold medal in women’s 100m butterfly (swimming)
Leisel Jones - gold medal in women’s 100m breaststroke (swimming)
Stephanie Rice - gold medal in women’s 200m individual medley (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in women’s 4x200m freestyle relay (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s coxless pair (rowing)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s double sculls (rowing)
Australian national team - gold medal in women’s 4x100m medley relay (swimming)
Emma Snowsill - gold medal in women’s triathlon (athletics)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s 470 class (sailing)
Australian national team - gold medal in women’s 470 class (sailing)
Steven Hooker - gold medal in men’s pole vault (athletics)
Ken Wallace - gold medal in men’s K-1 500m (canoeing)
Matthew Mitcham - gold medal in men’s 10m platform (diving)

London 2012

Australian national team - gold medal in women’s 4x100m freestyle relay (swimming)
Tom Slingsby - gold medal in laser class (sailing)
Anna Meares - gold medal in women’s sprint (cycling)
Sally Pearson - gold medal in women’s 100m hurdles (athletics)
Australian national team - gold medal in 49er class (sailing)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s K-4 1000m (canoeing)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s 470 class (sailing)
Jared Tallent - gold medal in men’s 50k walk (athletics)

Rio 2016

Mack Horton - gold medal in men’s 400m freestyle (swimming)
Australian national team - gold in women’s 4x100m freestyle relay (swimming)
Catherine Skinner - gold medal in women’s trap (shooting)
Australia women’s national team - gold medal in women’s tournament (rugby sevens)
Kyle Chalmers - gold medal in men’s 100m freestyle (swimming)
Kim Brennan - gold medal in women’s single sculls (rowing)
Tom Burton - gold medal in men’s laser (sailing)
Chloe Esposito - gold medal in women’s event (modern pentathlon)

Tokyo 2020

Australian national team - gold medal in women's 4x100m freestyle relay (swimming)
Ariarne Titmus - gold medal in women’s 400m freestyle (swimming)
Kaylee McKeown - gold medal in women's 100m backstroke (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in women’s coxless four (rowing)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s coxless four (rowing)
Ariarne Titmus - gold medal in women's 200m freestyle (swimming)
Zac Stubblety-Cook - gold medal in men's 200m breaststroke (swimming)
Jessica Fox - gold medal in women’s slalom C-1 (canoeing)
Emma McKeon - gold medal in women's 100m freestyle (swimming)
Kaylee McKeown - gold medal in women's 200m backstroke (swimming)
Emma McKeon - gold medal in women's 50m freestyle (swimming)
Australian national team - gold medal in women's 4x100m medley relay
Logan Martin - gold medal in BMX freestyle (cycling)
Matthew Wearn - gold medal in men's laser (sailing)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s 470 (sailing)
Australian national team - gold medal in men’s sprint K-2 1000m (canoeing)
Keegan Palmer - gold medal in men’s park (skateboarding)

Paris 2024

Nina Kennedy - gold medal in women's pole vault (athletics)
Jessica Fox - gold medal in women's kayak single (canoe slalom)
Jessica Fox - gold medal in women's canoe single (canoe slalom)
Noemie Fox - gold medal in women's kayak cross (canoe slalom)
Saya Sakakibara - gold medal in women's event (cycling BMX racing)
Grace Brown - gold medal in women’s time trial (cycling road)
Team Australia - gold medal in men's team pursuit (cycling track)
Matt Wearn - gold medal in men's dinghy (sailing)
Arisa Trew - gold medal in women's park (skateboarding)
Keegan Palmer - gold medal in men's park (skateboarding)
Ariarne Titmus - gold medal in women's 400m freestyle (swimming)
Mollie O'Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris - gold medal in women's 4x100m freestyle relay (swimming)
Mollie O'Callaghan - gold medal in women's 200m freestyle (swimming)
Kaylee McKeown - gold medal in women's 100m backstroke (swimming)
Mollie O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Brianna Throssell, Ariarne Titmus - gold medal in women's 4x200m freestyle relay (swimming)
Kaylee McKeown - gold medal in women's 200m backstroke (swimming)
Cameron McEvoy - gold medal in men's 50m freestyle (swimming)
Matthew Ebden/John Peers - gold medal in men's doubles (tennis)