Cameras capture Aussie legend’s tears after Olympic heartbreak

Australia won its first beach volleyball medal since 2000 and the emotion was overwhelming for an icon of the sport Down Under.

Natalie Cook was devastated for the Aussies.

The Australian women’s beach volleyball pairing of Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar won a silver medal in Tokyo after falling just short in the final.

The American duo of April Ross and Alix Klineman left with gold after saving their best for last and beating the Aussies in straight sets on Friday.

“I can’t believe we just did that,” Ross said. “Thank you so much for all your support, we really felt you, we felt everyone behind us, means so much to us.”

The second-placed finish gives Australia its first beach volleyball medal since Nat Cook and Kerri Pottharst won gold in 2000. Channel 7’s cameras were at Cook’s place as she watched the decider Down Under, and the Olympic legend broke down in tears at the end of the match.

Commentating for Channel 7, Pottharst was also emotional.

“They believed in themselves, they fought, they dug deeper than they ever had during this event and Australia have two new queens on the beach,” Pottharst said.

“I’m so happy for these two girls. I’m in tears. The feeling of winning an Olympic medal, it is like nothing else in the world.”

Natalie Cook was devastated for the Aussies.

The tears kept flowing when Clancy and Artacho del Solar spoke to Seven after the medal ceremony.

“It really stings right now but honestly I could not be more proud of Mariafe,” Clancy said as the waterworks started. “It has been a tough ride getting to this spot so grateful she stuck beside me and so proud of what we’ve been able to achieve today.”

Artacho del Solar added: “Don’t make us cry again! It’s definitely very special and unique, this bond that we have. It’s very hard to put into words. It is not something that you just have with anyone. So we’re super grateful and I wouldn’t want to do this journey with anyone else.”

The Aussies won our first beach volleyball medal since 2000.

Ross and Klineman raced to an early 13-8 lead in the opening set as Clancy and Artacho del Solar struggled to deal with their rivals’ powerful serves.

A long serve from Artacho del Solar gifted America the first set, which it won 21-15.

The Aussies couldn’t halt the momentum at the start of the second set either, quickly falling behind 10-2.

“This is quite phenomenal,” Seven’s Brenton Speed said. “They’re playing their best game in the gold medal game and the Aussies are up against it big time.”

Clancy and Artacho del Solar managed to close the margin to just four to keep themselves in the contest at 15-11.

But any thoughts of a comeback were quickly vanquished, with the Americans racing towards a convincing 21-15 21-16 victory.

They should be incredibly proud.

Originally published as Cameras capture Aussie legend’s tears after Olympic heartbreak