Australia has competed in athletics in all Summer Olympics. Edwin Flack won the Men's 800 m and 1500 m at the 1896 Summer Olympics. He won Australia's first athletics and Olympics medals and was that country’s first gold medallist.[1] Athletics is the Australia's second most successful Olympic sport after swimming.
Statistics 1896-2021
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- Australia has won 76 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver, and 28 bronze medals.[1]
- Australian women have won 40 medals: 13 gold, 13 silver, and 14 bronze medals
- Australia men have won 36 medals: 8 gold, 14 silver, and 14 bronze medals
- Number of female athletes winning medals: 30 [2]
- Number of male athletes winning medals: 37 [2]
- Sixteen athletes have won individual gold medals: Edwin Flack (dual), Nick Winter, John Winter, Marjorie Jackson (dual), Shirley Strickland de la Hunty (triple), Betty Cuthbert (four), Herb Elliott, Ralph Doubell, Maureen Caird, Glynis Nunn, Debbie Flintoff-King, Cathy Freeman, Steve Hooker, Sally Pearson and Jared Tallent[2]
- Two athletes have won relay gold medals: Norma Croker and Fleur Mellor[2]
- Most medals: Shirley Strickland de la Hunty (7), 1948, 1952, 1956, including 3 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze; Betty Cuthbert (4), 1956 & 1964, including 4 gold; Jared Tallent (4), 2008, 2012, 2016, including 1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze;Raelene Boyle (3), 1968 & 1972, including 3 silver; Stan Rowley (3) 1900, including 3 bronze[2]
- Multiple gold medallists: Betty Cuthbert (4); Shirley Strickland de la Hunty (3); and Marjorie Jackson (2)
- Medallists at more than one Games: Shirley Strickland de la Hunty and Jared Tallent (3 Games); Betty Cuthbert, Pam Kilborn, Raelene Boyle, Cathy Freeman, Sally Pearson (2 Games)[2]
- Relay medals: A total of 5 (including 1 gold medal and 1 silver medal for Women's 4 × 100 m, plus 1 gold medal for Men's 1 x 400 m and 2 silver medals for Men's 4 × 400 m)
Event Medal Summary 1896-2021
editSummary of Olympics athletics medals won by Australian male and female athletes. Australian athletes have not won medals in the following events scheduled for the 2020 Summer Olympics: 5000 metres, 3000 m steeplechase and the hammer throw.[2]
| Event | Gold Women | Silver Women | Bronze Women | Gold Men | Silver Men | Bronze Men | Gold Total | Silver Total | Bronze Total | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 m | na/a | n/a | n/a | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | |
| 100 m | 2 | 1 | 3 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| 200 m | 2 | 2 | 3 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| 400 m | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 800 m | - | 1 | - | 2 | - | - | 2 | 1 | - | 3 |
| 1500 m | - | - | - | 2 | - | 1 | 2 | - | 1 | 3 |
| 3000 m | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| 10000m | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| Marathon | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| 80 /100m hurdles (Women) 110 m hurdles (Men) |
4 | 2 | 3 | - | - | - | 4 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| 400m hurdles | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| 20 km walk | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 3 | - | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 50 km walk men only |
n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | 2 | - | 1 | 2 | - | 3 |
| 4 × 100 m | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | 2 |
| 4 × 400 m | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | 2 | - | 2 |
| Long jump | - | - | - | - | 4 | - | - | 4 | - | 4 |
| High jump | - | 2 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Triple jump | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Pole vault | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | 2 |
| Discus | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Javelin | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Shot put | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Heptathlon | 1 | - | - | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| Decathlon | n/a | n/a | n/a | - | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 13 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 27 | 28 | 76 |
- n/a - not a discipline for the gender
Medallists 1896-2021
editList of individual and relay Australian medallists.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Athletics". Australian Olympic Committee website. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Historical Results - Olympic Games". Athletics Australia website. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Australian medal tally". Australian Olympic Committee website. Retrieved 23 June 2016.