Paris Olympics 2024: Best bits of day 12 as Australia celebrates its most successful medal haul ever

1. Kennedy soars into record books

Gold medals don’t come much bigger or higher than in the pole vault, and Nina Kennedy’s incredible triumph could be the most momentous of them all.

She simply dominated the field, missing just two jumps to claim the top spot over long-time rival, American Katie Moon, with a height of 4.90 metres.

Her gold medal was a record-breaking 18th for Australia at the Paris Games, going past the mark laid down in Athens and equalled in Tokyo.

Kennedy also became the first woman to win gold for Australia in a field event.

2. Awesome foursome earn redemption

Three years ago, Australia’s men’s team pursuit cycling team suffered one of the biggest calamities in our nation’s rich Olympic history when Alex Porter’s handlebars unexpectedly snapped mid-race, crashing them out of the medal hunt.

But in Paris, redemption was sweet as Conor Leahy, Oliver Bleddyn, Sam Welsford, and Kelland O’Brien broke world records on their way to toppling Great Britain for gold.

It was the tightest of tussles in the gold medal face-off until a late technical issue for the Brits opened the door for the Aussies, who powered through it, winning by more than two seconds.

3. Palmer’s crown defence

Everyone knows sharing is caring, that is, until it comes to gold medals.

Australia’s Keegan Palmer added another glittering accolade to his skating legacy by defending his skateboarding men’s park title on day 12.

His victory means he remains the only athlete to have ever won gold in the event after he captured the crown in Tokyo, with the 21-year-old dedicating the win to the nation of his birth.

4. Well Wearn

Matt Wearn has suffered plenty of setbacks since winning his first gold medal in Tokyo, not least his battle with at-times deliberating long COVID, so a few delays meant nothing to the West Aussie star.

The final two races of his Dinghy category had to be scrapped due to wind conditions, and with just one leg remaining in the medal race and with Wearn well in front, the race was halted as the winds turned.

It was a moment of frustration that quickly turned to celebration as his dreams of back-to-back crowns became reality in dominant fashion.

5. One for the Den-ny

Matthew Denny earned his first Olympic medal in an emotional and record-breaking men’s discus final.

He came within just 0.69 metres of an Olympic gold medal as Jamaican Roje Stona caused an epic boilover with an Olympic-record-breaking throw of 70 metres.

The Aussie soaked in his achievement but was also quick to state he felt he had better in him and that he was aiming to fight for gold in the next two Games.

6. Opals ball out

It was a clunky and concerning start to the tournament, but the Opals finished the group stage with a bang and have started the knockout stage with an even bigger statement.

The women’s national basketball stormed to an 85-67 victory over Serbia that sets up a blockbuster semifinal with the United States.

Jade Melbourne led the way for the Opals with 18 points.

7. Sharks sunk

Australia’s giant-slaying run in the Olympics men’s water polo competition has come to a heart-breaking end. The Sharks ran out to an early three-goal lead against the United States, only to have it pegged back.

In a rollercoaster finish, they trailed by one in the final moments, but charged ahead, only for USA to level the scores just before half-time.

Despite the best efforts of cult-hero goal-keeper Nic Porter, Australia was bundled out of the tournament after qualifying as the best team in their group.

8. Walking bronze

Jemima Montag has made quite the name for herself at these Olympics and a second bronze medal confirms she is the face of Australia’s race walking team.

Having already claimed a medal in the 20m race walk on the opening day of the athletics meet, Montag joined Rhydian Crowley in the mixed marathon relay and snared bronze again.

9. 400m comeback

This Olympics has delivered one of the most dramatic track meets the sport has seen in quite some time.

In the latest epic race, American Quincy Hall launched a remarkable comeback. Great Britain’s pre-race favourite Matthew Hudson-Smith led off the final turn, with Hall in fourth and appearing to be labouring.

He still didn’t look comfortable as he stormed past all three runners and beat Hudson-Smith in a desperate late dip to cause a boilover.

10. Discus Olympic records

Lithuanian Mykolas Alekna broke an Olympic record in the discus final on Thursday morning with a throw of 69.97 metres. Remarkably, it previously belonged to his father Virgilijus.

Even more remarkably, it lasted just a few minutes. Jamaican outsider Roje Stona came over the top with a throw of 70m, causing one of the great boilovers of these Games to snatch gold from the son-of-a-gun.