The tiny Australian town that has won more Olympic medals than entire countries (2024)

In short:

Olympic medalists Penny Smith and Grace Brown both hail from the same small Victorian country town.

Brown's gold medal win in women's cycling and Smith's bronze medal mean Camperdown has won more medals than entire countries.

What's next?

Residents say the town is excited and proud of the women's success.

Hard work, determination and a good dose of fresh country air.

They are some of the factors key to Olympic success for two female athletes from a humble regional Victorian town, according to residents cheering them on from home.

Newly minted Olympic medallists Grace Brown and Penny Smith both came from Camperdown, a small town in the heart of dairy farming country about two hours' drive west from Melbourne.

The tiny Australian town that has won more Olympic medals than entire countries (1)

Brown rode to victory in the women's cycling time trial, winning Australia's first gold medal at this year's games, while Smith collected a bronze medal in the trap shooting event on Thursday night.

The tiny Australian town that has won more Olympic medals than entire countries (2)

The wins meant the town, with a small population of just over 3,800, had won more medals than some countries with millions of people.

It sat about 23rd on the medal table, alongside Croatia, Guatemala, Uzbekistan, and ahead of Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil.

'Having a go' in DNA

Camperdown resident Ruth Gstrein was among those who stayed up late to watch the women compete.

She said it was surreal to see them under the spotlight on the world stage.

"The town has been going crazy," she said.

"When I was watching Grace Brown racing in Paris the other night, I was thinking about how I've known this wonderful cyclist since she was a baby.

"It was quite incredible."

In classic country-town style where everyone knew everyone, the Corangamite Shire councillor also knew Smith having served on the local council alongside her grandfather Geoff Smith for more than a decade.

While Smith lived in Bookaar on a dairy farm with her parents, slightly north of Camperdown, Cr Gstrein said the town claimed her as its own.

The tiny Australian town that has won more Olympic medals than entire countries (3)

"It's been an awful lot of hard work and determination for these ladies," she said.

Meanwhile, Donna Conheady, who manages the Commercial Hotel Camperdown, also happens to be Smith's boss —the Olympian can be found working at the pub when she isn't training.

"We feel like we are on the team with her. We have been through the highs and the lows with her. We are just so proud of her and we can't wait for her to come home," Ms Conheady said.

"We were messaging each other yesterday and she has already given me a date that she will be available to be back on the roster, which is fantastic."

Corangamite Shire Mayor Kate Makin said the whole town was rapt with the women's sporting success.

Her message to other countries who were behind Camperdown in the medal tally was tongue in cheek.

The tiny Australian town that has won more Olympic medals than entire countries (4)

"Firstly, commiserations — it is hard to compete with perfection," she joked.

"Secondly, we think the recipe for success is hard work, training, good fresh country air and eating more dairy.

"We love our sport and we get behind everyone who wants to have a go. Having a go and being active is in our DNA."

Cr Makin said the town had celebrated the Olympic achievements by lighting up the town's clock tower in green and gold.

There was talk of a town celebration to welcome the Olympians home from Paris, including giving the women the Key to the City.

"Our entire community is so very proud of their accomplishments and so excited to welcome them back," she said.

'Heart was in your mouth'

Colac Gun Club member Amanda Holt said she also stayed up late to see Smith, who honed her skills at the club, shoot for the stars in a "nerve wrecking watch".

The tiny Australian town that has won more Olympic medals than entire countries (5)

She said the whole club tuned in, with the number of anxious text messages exchanged throughout the round.

"We were up on the edge of our seats and holding our breath, cheering her on ... to come away with a bronze medal is just spectacular," she told ABC Radio South West Victoria.

Ms Holt said her friend had followed in her brother's footsteps to take up trap shooting.

"Penny is from the south-west [of Victoria] and just proves you don't have to be from one of these big cities to perform well on the international stage," she said.

Grace Brown's mother, Ruth Stewart, told ABC Radio Melbourne the wet and rainy conditions had made the winning race all the more scary for her supporters.

"Any time Grace is in a race, you have your heart in your mouth, but it felt like she was carrying the nation a bit really," she said.

The tiny Australian town that has won more Olympic medals than entire countries (6)

She said the family was able to sit in a section overlooking the podium and watched her receive the gold medal.

"That was very exciting and just wonderful," she said.

Brown is next due to compete in the women's road race at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Posted, updated

The tiny Australian town that has won more Olympic medals than entire countries (2024)

FAQs

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Australia281
Japan264
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Italy253
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Australia have won 18 medals, eight gold, six silver and four bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics so far.

Who was the first Australian to win a gold medal? ›

Edwin Flack's success

Flack is considered not only Australia's first Olympian but our first Olympic champion, even though Australia did not come into existence officially until 1901. At the games, Flack competed for Great Britain, but he ran in his old Melbourne Grammar School shorts and singlet.

Where has had the most Olympics? ›

Host cities for multiple Summer and Winter Olympic Games
RankCityCountry
1ParisFrance
Los AngelesUnited States
4AthensGreece
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What is the medal count at the 2024 Paris Olympics? Here's the overall medal count through Friday, with the U.S. leading with way with 43 total medals and China at the most gold with 13. Here are the top 10 countries overall: 2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count?

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