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The 1956 Olympic Games hosted by Melbourne were the first Olympics held in the Southern Hemisphere

 

The Olympics have been twice held in Australia – Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000

 

Australia is the only nation in the Southern Hemisphere to have hosted the Olympic games

 

In 1904 there was only 1 athlete from Australia

 

Australia is one of only 2 modern nations to have competed in all Olympic games, the other being Greece.

 

Australia and New Zealand competed together in the 1908 and 1912 games under ‘Australasia’

 

The most decorated Australian medalist in the summer games is Ian Thorpe who has 9 Olympic medals: 5 gold (2000 x 3, 2004 x 2), 3 silver (2000 x 2, 2004 x 1), 1 bronze (2004 x 1)

 

The oldest Australian gold medalist is Bill Northam (yachting) aged 59 years 26 days in Tokyo 1964

 

The youngest Australian gold medalist Sandra Morgan (swimming) aged 14 years 6 months where she won the 4x100m freestyle relay in Melbourne 1956

 

Australia’s first female gold medalist was Sarah 'Fanny' Durack (swimming) – 1 gold

100m freestyle, Stockholm 1912

 

Australia’s first ever gold medalist was Edwin Flack (athletics) – 2 gold (800m, 1500m), Athens 1896

 

Australia’s Best Ever Medal Tally was in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games where they won 58 Olympic medals (16 gold, 25 silver, 17 bronze)

 

Australia has won 405 Olympic medals total (summer and winter) 124 gold, 126 silver, 155 bronze

 

Australia has won 399 Summer Olympic medals total: 121 gold, 126 silver, 152 bronze

 

 

Two athletes have appeared in 6 Olympic Summer Games:

 

• Colin Beashel (sailing) – 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 (Opening Flag Bearer)
• Andrew Hoy (equestrian) – 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 (Opening Flag Bearer), 2000, 2004

 

The following athletes have competed in two sports at the Olympic Games:

 

• Edwin Flack — Athletics 1896 and Tennis 1896
• Lily Beaurepaire — Diving 1920 and Swimming 1920
• Peter Macken — Fencing 1968 Modern Pentathlon 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976
• Sydney Middleton — Rugby 1908 Rowing 1912
• Harry Morris — Diving 1928 Wrestling 1928
• Paul Narracott — Athletics 1984 Bobsleigh 1992
• Fiona Hannan — Basketball 1996 Handball 2000
• Neville Sayers — Modern Pentathlon 1956, 1960 Shooting 1960
• Nova Peris — Athletics 2000 Hockey 1996
• Donna Kite — Athletics 1984 Cycling Road 1988
• Duncan Page — Modern Pentathlon 1964, 1968 Fencing 1964

 

Only one athlete has competed in three sports at the Olympic Games:

 

• Reginald “Snowy” Baker — Diving 1908, Boxing 1908 and Swimming 1908