Where do Boomers and Opals medals rank amongst Australia's Olympic team achievements?

Where does basketball rank in a sporting nation like Australia, where talented athletes have excelled, especially in team sports?

The Australian Opals recently claimed their sixth Olympic medal, after winning bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Credit: FIBA

This feat matches the achievements of the Australian men’s team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, who also finished in third place. In a sport where the United States’ dominance has made the gold medal highly elusive, the Opals and Boomers have a rich Olympic history with multiple trips to the semi-finals and beyond. Very few Olympic sports have such a dominant nation that is virtually impossible to topple in the modern era. Moreover, basketball has a unique position as a widely played sport that holds popularity across many countries, and in all continents.

The Opals and Boomers perhaps have not received the same level of fanfare as some of Australia’s other national teams, who have struck gold. But in light of the sport’s widespread popularity, and the presence of the United States, there’s a fair argument that the Boomers’ and Opals’ achievements belong in the same category as some of the others below. Here is a list of Australia’s greatest Olympic team sporting achievements since 1976, when the Olympic women’s basketball tournament first began (the men’s tournament started in 1936).

For the purposes of this list, only teams with at least four members will be considered. An honourable mention goes to Australia’s sailing program, which has a history of 31 medals (including 14 gold), with many sailing duos encountering success on the Olympic stage.

Tokyo 2020 - Men’s basketball

For over three decades, the Australian national men’s basketball team had been dogged by a stream of fourth placed finishes. After initially missing out on bronze at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the Boomers suffered back to back defeats to Lithuania in Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, after once again finding themselves in the third place playoffs. This was later followed by fourth place finishes at the Rio 2016 Olympics and 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, further igniting the chase for that elusive medal.

In a sport where the United States reigns as a dominant force, having won every Olympic tournament dating back to 1992 bar one (2004), the pursuit of a gold medal is almost forlorn. But after facing multiple opportunities to secure a silver or bronze, Australia got over the proverbial hump at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, defeating a Slovenian team led by superstar Luka Dončić. In a fitting end to the years-long struggle, Boomers talisman Patty Mills produced the game of his career, recording 42 points and nine assists.

Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 & Beijing 2008 - Women’s basketball

Similar to the mens’ Olympic basketball competition, the United States has maintained their dominance in the women’s tournament, claiming gold in every edition dating back to 1996. Australia emerged as a major challenger in the 2000s however, meeting the Americans in three consecutive gold medal contests - 2000, 2004 and 2008. The closest Australia came to securing an upset was in the Athens 2004 games, where the USA led by just two points going in to the final quarter. However, the Americans lifted late in the contest and eventually ran out 74-63 winners.

The Opals were able to exact revenge at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, claiming Australia’s first ever tournament gold, but the USA won an Olympic rematch in 2008 by a score of 92-65. The 2000s represented a golden era for the Opals, with numerous players featuring on WNBA rosters - including Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor, Sandy Brondello, Kristi Harrower, Suzy Batkovic, Belinda Snell, Laura Hodges, Rachael Sporn, Tully Bevilaqua, Erin Phillips and Michele Timms. Since winning three consecutive gold medals in the 2000s, the Opals have gone on to add two bronze medals to their cabinet - in 2012 and 2024.

Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 & Sydney 2000 - Equestrian (Team eventing)

Australia completed a remarkable three-peat in team eventing from 1992-2000, including a show of dominance at the 1996 Atlanta games. The Aussies narrowly edged out New Zealand at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, with a team featuring Matthew Ryan, Andrew Hoy, Gillian Rolton and David Green. Hoy was a consistent fixture in the three-peat, contributing all three gold medal wins. Rolton returned for the Atlanta 1996 triumph, while Ryan was a key contributor at the Sydney 2000 games - where Australia defeated Britain in front of a home crowd.

The Atlanta squad - where Wendy Schaeffer joined Hoy, Rolton and Phillip Dutton - won by a margin of nearly 60 points, over the United States and New Zealand. Dutton also featured in the Sydney 2000 quartet, alongside Hoy, Ryan and Stuart Tinney. The Australian equestrian team hasn’t quite captured another gold since the three-peat, but there have been a couple of near misses in Beijing 2008 and Tokyo 2020 - especially the former, where the Aussies finished second by a margin of five points.

Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 & Tokyo 2020 - Men’s coxless four (Rowing)

Australia went back to back in the men’s coxless four at the Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 Olympics. The trio of James Tomkins, Mike McKay and Nick Green featured in both editions, with the additions of Andrew Cooper in 1992 and Drew Ginn in 1996. Australia strolled through their heat and semifinal in 1992, winning both, and then won the final relatively comfortably, with a 1.64 second margin over the United States.

The team encountered a little more adversity in 1996, finishing just third in their heat, but that was still enough to qualify for the gold medal race. Australia ultimately defeated France by 0.66 seconds to win gold and thus defend their title. The team had acquired such a reputation that they were known as the “oarsome foursome”, after winning two world championship titles to go with their two Olympic golds. Tomkins went on to become Australia’s opening ceremony flag bearer at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, receiving due recognition for a stellar career.

Australia would have to wait until 2020 to again taste success in this event. The quartet of Alexander Purnell, Spencer Turrin, Jack Hargreaves and Alexander Hill won their heat by over three seconds, before edging out Romania to win the medal race in an Olympic best time.

Toyo 2020 - Women’s coxless four (Rowing)

After initially making an appearance at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the women’s coxless four event was shelved for almost 30 years, until it reappeared at the Tokyo 2020 games. The Australian team of Lucy Stephan, Rosemary Popa, Jessica Morrison and Annabelle McIntyre found themselves challenged from the get go, with Ireland going toe to toe with them in an initial heat. Australia came out on top however, and boasted the quickest time going in to the final.

In the medal race, the Aussies eked out a narrow victory over the Netherlands, with an Olympic best time of 6:15.37. The Dutch team finished 0.34 seconds slower in 6:15.71, having pushed Australia to the limit, and making their victory all the more rewarding. Although Australia only qualified for the B Final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and hence couldn’t defend their title, that Olympic best time still stands.

London 2012 - Men’s K4-1000 metres (Sprint Canoeing)

After the highs of Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, the London 2012 Olympics were a tale of adversity for the Australian contingent. Australia finished on eight gold medals (down from fourteen in Beijing), including just one from the swim team - which had become a powerhouse in preceding years. But a lean campaign in the pool transferred the spotlight to lesser-known sports, such as sprint canoeing, where Australia claimed their first ever gold in the Men's K-4 1000 metres event.

The quartet of Tate Smith, David Smith, Murray Stewart and Jacob Clear initially finished just third in their heat, before recording the fastest qualifying time in the semi-finals. In the medal race, the Aussies managed to hold off Hungary and Czech Republic in an absolute thriller that went right down to the wire. Finishing 0.614 seconds ahead of second place, Australia’s premier kayak unit gave the nation a moment to savour amongst the trials and tribulations of London 2012.

Seoul 1988, Atlanta 1996 & Sydney 2000 - Women’s Field Hockey tournament

Australia’s women’s field hockey team enjoyed a run of dominance between 1988 and 2000, picking up three of four available gold medals. At the Seoul 1988 Olympics, Australia toppled the home nation of South Korea, and went undefeated in their five matches (three wins, two draws). The Hockeyroos replicated this feat at Atlanda 1996, although this time around the team was much more of a dominant force. Australia recorded a goal difference of +20 across their seven matches (six wins, one draw), and comfortably defeated South Korea by a 3-1 scoreline in the final.

Australia faced the challenge of defending their title in front of a home crowd at Sydney 2000, but the team excelled in a home environment. The Hockeyroos finished with seven wins, one draw, a goal difference of +20 and defeated Argentina 3-1 in the gold medal match. Ten of the sixteen squad members from Sydney 2000 had the experience of playing in Atlanta beforehand. Rechelle Hawkes achieved the remarkable feat of competing in all three gold medal wins, across the aforementioned twelve year span. The Hockeyroos have been chasing another triumph since the Sydney 2000 Olympics, as the Netherlands have gone on to win four of the last five tournaments.

Los Angeles 1984, Athens 2004 & Paris 2024 - Men’s team pursuit (Track cycling)

The Australian cycling team has a rich history at the Olympic games, accumulating a total of 62 medals, including 18 golds. Three of those gold medals can be attributed to the mens’ team pursuit event in the velodrome, with the first being won at the 1984 Los Angeles games. A team of Michael Grenda, Kevin Nichols, Michael Turtur and Dean Woods clinched the gold medal in dominant fashion, defeating the United States by nearly four seconds.

Australia replicated this feat 20 years later at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and again after another two decades at the Paris 2024 games. The 2004 quartet - featuring Luke Roberts, Brett Lancaster, Brad McGee and Graeme Brown - set a new world record in the process, and toppled their British rivals in the final by over three seconds.

Australia’s 2024 team - Oliver Bleddyn, Sam Welsford, Conor Leahy and Kelland O’Brien - achieved a similar feat, setting a new world record in their first round ride. Once again, the Aussies had to stave off stiff competition from a talented British quartet, but ultimately won their final by over two seconds.

Athens 2004 - Women’s 4x100 metre freestyle relay (Swimming)

In recent years, Australia has become the nation to beat in the women’s 4x100 metre freestyle relay, claiming victory in each edition since 2012. But it wasn’t always like that, as the Aussies went into the 2004 relay without having won since 1956. Similar to most swimming races, the USA had a rich history in this event, recording 14 wins since their first in the 1920 Olympics. After finishing third at the 2003 World Championship, the Aussies went in to the 2004 Athens Olympics as genuine contenders, but far from comfortable favourites.

Alice Mills, Libby Lenton and Petria Thomas went toe-to-toe with America’s best in the first three legs, but the USA had a handy lead going in to the last 100 metres. But Australia had an ace up their sleeve, with reigning world record holder Jodie Henry still to come. Henry overcome the deficit and capped off a world record swim to give Australia their first win in this relay event since 1956. That team set the tone for subsequent years, and Australia has never won by such a close margin (0.45 seconds) since the 2012 Olympics. With this confidence boosting win, Henry went on to the claim another gold medial in the individual 100 metres freestyle event.

Athens 2004 - Men’s Field Hockey

Australia entered the men’s field hockey tournament at the Athens 2004 games after finishing second at the 2002 mens’ hockey world cup, and also at the 2003 FIH Champions trophy. European nations including Germany and the Netherlands presented a serious threat to Australia’s hopes of claiming a maiden gold medal in this event. In the group stages, the Aussies went undefeated through their first four matches, before suffering a 1-2 loss at the hands of the Dutch team.

The Kookaburras progressed to the knockout stages nonetheless, and a confidence-boosting 6-3 win over Spain saw them reach the gold medal match. Standing in Australia’s way was the Netherlands, and the final proved to be an absolute thriller. With both teams tied at 1-1 after regular time, Jamie Dwyer scored a 78th minute goal off a penalty corner to secure Australia’s gold medal in dramatic fashion. The Kookaburras have yet to replicate their victory from Athens 2004, but came very close in Tokyo 2020, with a loss to Belgium in the gold medal match.

Sydney 2000 - Women’s Water Polo

The Womens’ Water Polo tournament made its Olympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and Australia qualified as the host nation. However, that’s underselling the credentials of the inaugural Olympic team, who had narrowly finished second at the 1999 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup - losing to the Netherlands by a 7-6 score line. The Stingers thus entered their home Olympics as one of the teams to beat, and this was clear in the group stages, where they racked up a 4-1 record and a +15 gold difference to top the ladder.

Australia encountered serious adversity in the semi-finals against Russia, who led 6-4 with just one quarter to go. But the Stingers came from behind to win 7-6, setting up a gold medal clash against the United States. With the scores tied after three quarters (2-2), Australia won the fourth quarter 2-1 and secured the gold in front of a home crowd. Yvette Higgins nailed a nine metre shot in the final second to close out a cinematic victory over the Americans. The Stingers haven’t struck gold since Sydney 2000, but came very close at the Paris 2024 games, losing 11-9 to an in-form Spanish team.

Sydney 2000 - Men’s 4x100 metre freestyle relay (Swimming)

Since the inception of the Men’s 4x100m freestyle relay at the 1964 Olympic games, the United States of America went undefeated in the first seven editions, leading into Sydney’s games. The Americans were led by Gary Hall Jr., a reigning silver medallist in the 100m freestyle from the 1996 Atlanta games. In a pre-race media interview, Hall Jr. was quoted as follows: “My biased opinion says that we will smash them like guitars. … But the logic in that remote area of my brain says it won’t be so easy for the United States to dominate the waters this time.”

In the days before social media and smartphones, the media ran with Hall Jr.’s “smash them like guitars” line, and he quickly became an easy villain, in spite of his wider interview which was largely respectful of the Aussies. The race itself was an absolute thriller; Michael Klim produced a world record time in the first leg to give Australia a handy lead, before the USA slowly clawed their way back in to the race. Ultimately the last leg came down to a face off between Hall Jr. and a young Ian Thorpe, who was more accustomed to swimming over 200-400 metres.

Thorpe went in to the last leg with a narrow lead, and at the turn, it appeared as though Hall Jr. was too far in front. However, as a distance swimmer, Thorpe had timed his race to perfection and overtook Hall Jr. in the home stretch, to the sound of a roaring home crowd. Australia broke the world record at the time, and ended the USA’s 36 years of dominance in this event. In a fitting end to the media hype surrounding the race, Australia’s quartet celebrated by playing air guitars post-victory, in reference to Hall Jr.’s interview quote. To this day the Aussie men’s relay team hasn’t quite replicated the feats of Sydney 2000, making this achievement all the more memorable.