Female athletes make up largest-ever percentage of Australia’s 460-strong Olympic team

When the Olympics were last held in Paris not a single female Australian competed, but this time they are going in record numbers.

Australian Olympic team chef de mission Anna Meares declared there were no ongoing security concerns after finalising the third-largest team ever sent to an away Games with the largest-ever proportion of female athletes headed to Paris.

Meares also confirmed more than 640 families had registered for tickets under the family and friends program and intended to travel amid an outcry over availability and unaffordable prices for some events and with “protests are riots” in the wake of French elections.

“As we know that there’s been unrest and riots and protests in Paris. This is normal, this is how they express themselves,” Meares said on Wednesday.

“I’m very confident that the Games will go ahead. There will be more security on ground in Paris, and that’s very OK, I think that makes us feel, makes me feel more safe.”.

The team was locked in at 460 athletes who range in age from 14 to 51, with Australians to compete in 33 different sports and the final number behind only Tokyo 2020 (486) and Athens 2004 (482) for size when it comes to Games overseas.

Australia’s 632-strong team that competed in Sydney in 2000 is unlikely to be beaten anytime soon.

They're going to the Olympics!! 💚💛

460 athletes, 231 debutants, 229 multi-Games athletes, 62 Olympic medallists, 10 Indigenous athletes and 5 sets of siblings all competing across 33 sports at #Paris2024!#AllezAUS | @Qantaspic.twitter.com/95WShyQagG

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 10, 2024

The number of Olympic first-timers is down, with 231 debutante headed to Paris, but the 256 female athletes make up 55.6 per cent of this team, the largest percentage in Australian history.

When the Games were last held in Paris in 1924, there were no women in the Australian team.

“What a journey it’s been,” Meares said.

“I think we take it for granted, but we really do punch above our weight. Competing in Paris in 33 sports – that’s to the great credit of our sports, obviously the athletes themselves and the sport system here with our Australian Institute of Sport and state and territory institutes and academies across the country.

“Rightly, at team selection announcements over the past nine months, we have also paid tribute to the families and support networks behind every athlete. Within every sport there are coaches, volunteers and many others who put their hands up to make these Olympic dreams become reality.

“It’s exciting that so many families will have the opportunity to travel to France to see our athletes compete – something that just wasn’t possible with Tokyo 2020. To date, some 740 families have registered with our family and friends program and 643 indicating they will travel to Paris.”

BMX freestyle riders Logan Martin and Natalya Diehm will be hopping on the plane to Paris!

Logan comes into the Games as the defending Olympic champion. Natalya is the strongest she's ever been and will add to her Tokyo 2020 experience.#AllezAUS | @AusCycling | @Qantaspic.twitter.com/4icrW6v5bJ

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 5, 2024

Equestrian eventer Shane Rose, the man who came back from a ban for wearing a mankini and injuries after being crushed by a horse, is the oldest team member at 51 and skateboarder Arisa Trew the youngest at just 14.

Several new events will have Australians competing, including kayak cross, mixed team race walk and 3x3 basketball.

“The fact that Australia is competing in 33 sports means everyone back home can find Aussies in action every day of the Games across multiple sports,” Meares said.

“Our biggest days look to be Saturday, 27 July and Saturday, 3 August where we are likely to be competing in 20 sports on each of those days.

The Boomers, Opals and Gangurrus with boarding passes in hand, here comes #Paris2024! 🏀🇫🇷 #AllezAUS | @BasketballAUS | @Qantaspic.twitter.com/g8mZbUIXEK

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 7, 2024

“The logistical challenge has been huge. Our planning team has booked more than 3000 flights, organised accommodation in the Paris Village, satellite villages and sub-sites with a view to providing the same quality of service from the first arriving athlete to the last.

“Each has had a different Olympic experience and that’s very helpful for our athletes who will experience the highs and lows of Olympic competition.”

The composition of the Australian team may change before the opening competition on July 24, depending on athlete withdrawals or late additional quota spots due to athletes from other nations withdrawing.

Originally published as Female athletes make up largest-ever percentage of Australia’s 460-strong Olympic team