Olympics, 2024: Matildas’ luggage goes missing from private jet

The star-studded Matildas have suffered a setback after they arrived in France to finish off their preparations for the Olympics.

So much for the best laid plans.

The star-studded Matildas have arrived in France to finish off their preparations for the Olympics only to discover that their equipment bags have been left behind.

Australia’s favourite sporting team thought they had outsmarted France’s notoriously chaotic airport baggage handlers by booking their own private jet.

But their plans went pear-shaped when they landed in Marseilles to be told their luggage had been left behind at their training base in Spain.

The hiccup meant red-faced team officials had to postpone a planned photo-shoot with the world’s press, less than a week before the team’s opening pool match against Germany.

The baggage drama came after the rest of the Australian team’s gear almost went overboard when the container ship it was stored on collided with another boat near Gibraltar.

The Matildas faced a hiccup after their luggage was left at their training base in Spain. Picture: Getty Images

But the Australian team’s chef de mission Anna Meares said the incidents were unrelated and the Matildas would get their green and gold kit within the next 24 hours.

“That was nothing to do with the freight ship collision on the way over a few weeks ago,” Meares said.

“Their flight was delayed 90 minutes. It was basically a loading issue on their charter flight. As a result of that loading issue, the bags didn’t actually meet with them when they landed in Marseilles from their flight from Spain.

“It didn’t affect their preparation,or their competition at all. And this will be rectified at this stage.”

The Matildas - who have never won a medal at the Olympics - are the only Australian team that travelled to France by private jet.

Even the Boomers, whose payroll is a staggering $80 million, took a commercial flight to get to France.

The swim team also went commercial, mostly in economy, though a few of the wealthier team members dipped into their own pockets to upgrade to business.

“That’s a decision for Football Australia,” Meares said.

“They felt that it was the best, high performance model for them that they could do to bring them in from Spain to Marseilles.

“That is just the norm for them now. And it’s operating in normal capacity in an abnormal environment like the Olympic Games.”