So yes, we were a tad optimistic with our Australian medal predictions for Beijing back in our August issue. We predicted 60 medals in all, including 17 gold, and that was before the late withdrawals of Jana Rawlinson and Nathan Deakes, which brought us back to 58, probably 16 gold. In the end we scored 46, including 14 gold.

We thought we’d do better in the shooting – we’d gotten used to jagging an early gold or two down the barrel of a shotgun the last few Games. And our cyclists’ return was pretty humble, with just Anna Meares’ silver to show. Our swimmers came up a few short of our predicted nine gold, but we were close: think back to the shock of Grant Hackett’s upstaging in the 1500. Plus we were counting on Libby and Leisel pulling off individual doubles.

We did a little better in athletics, thanks pretty much to the amazing silver from Sally McLellan. Wrote Edward Ovadia in our August issue: “McLellan is definitely capable of finishing high up in the final if all goes right.” Bullseye. “Don’t put anything past her,” we wrote the month before.

But I guess I do owe readers an apology of sorts for our coverline that issue: “Every Australian medal chance in every event.” I was keeping that promise in mind as I soaked up that magical fortnight, Inside Sport at hand, ticking off the medallists as we racked them up.

So yes. Sorry. We missed a few. But I ain’t beating myself up about it. In fact a couple of those left-field surprise results felt as good as anything else we won and made those Games so damn great.

Jacqui Lawrence’s silver in the K1 singles slalom was priceless. You can’t blame us there: no one looked more surprised than Jacqui herself. As she said after her event: “I knew if I could hold it together for four runs and not make any mistakes, then I would have a chance of being up there. But I really didn’t think I could win a medal.”

When a favourite like Cathy or Libby or Leisel wins, it’s almost as much a feeling of relief as it is elation. So when someone comes from the clouds, it’s unfettered joy.

Cue Matthew Mitcham highlight reel, nailing the greatest dive in Olympic history with his final plunge from the 10m platform to take not silver, but gold. We missed naming Matthew in our preview – but it was back in May that Inside Sport actually travelled with Mitcham and co to Beijing for their Olympic test event. As soon as Mitcham won, I found myself digging out that issue – and re-reading author Tim Baker’s final paragraph in that story: For all the talk of human rights abuses, air pollution and boycotts, it’s clear the Olympic dream remains alive and well for this group of athletes. “I can’t wait to experience it all for myself, and have no preconceived ideas about what it’s going to be like, or how everything’s going to be,” Mitcham says keenly.

Pure gold.

Graem Sims
Editor
www.insidesport.com.au