Triumphant Aussies return home to heroes welcome after best ever Olympic success.
– BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.
(eLanka Sports Editor)
(eLanka Sports Editor)
The Olympic Games in Paris was spectacular, more for Australia’s performances which easily matched the glitzy French hospitality and hosting, which will be long remembered.
But while the superpowers of the Olympics, USA, China and Japan continued their dominance, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and a few lesser nations served notice to the world that they are working on a plan to be serious challengers in the not too distant future.
The triumphant Aussies returned home to a tumultuous welcome at Sydney airport as crowds thronged airport and it’s surrounds to cheer them on arrival.
I did let myself fall short, for personal reasons, for not giving it more coverage on this website. But I did follow the titanic struggle between the world’s best athletes as they battled to grab the elusive Gold that epitomises world supremacy.
In the pool, on the track, on the river Seine and team sport gave fans around the world a feast of the best and the rest in sports pinnacle, and many memories will linger of a well coordinated event put together by France.
Australia’s best Gold haul ever (18), 19 Silver and 16 Bronze was a remarkable achievement for a country with a population of 23 million, while New Zealand’s 10 Gold gives the region special prominence for their outstanding success.
Australia’s swimmers dominated in the pool grabbing seven Gold, the Skateboarders (3), Canoe Slalom (3), Cycling (3), and sailing (2).
From a Sri Lankan perspective, only six athletes qualified to participate in the Olympics in Paris. Sadly none were able to make an impact making it one of their worst performances ever in their sporting history.
Much needs to be done to encourage and lift sport in the country outside Cricket and Rugby.
The opening and closing ceremonies were typically French and extraordinary, laced with the flair and colourful presentation that you come to expect from a creative host country.
