What was your favourite Aussie Olympic moment and why?

Question

From Jared Tallent to Emma Snowsill, from the women's 4x100 relay to Hackett's courageous swim, what was your favourite moment and why?

There's far too many to list here so let us know yours.

Answer 1

My favorite Olympic Aussie moment was when the Opals went against China in Basketball—these ladies showed guts and daring, and proved that even without Penny they can still show the world they have what it takes. It was a heartbreak that they didn't win against USA.

[Rant deleted by poster to comply with Community Guidelines.]

Answer 2

The women's relay medley was the best - screaming for them!!  

Answer 3

Of course it was Matthew Mitcham's Win! He is so inspirational to all g*y people around the world! It was a pleasure watching him dive!

I teared up when he first saw the score from his final five and looked on in disbelief. Then again when a female friend ran up to him backstage at the Water Cube, hugged him and said, “Matthew, you just won the Olympics!” Mitcham looked stunned, and started to sob. The tears flowed later when I watched the medal ceremony and saw someone who had conquered a lot in his 20 years looking like the happiest person on Earth. An openly g*y male athlete won an Olympic gold medal. With his boyfriend cheering in the stands. Wow!

By winning the gold medal in the men’s 10-meter platform diving, Mitcham struck a golden blow for g*y people everywhere who’ve been told they’re flawed or not good enough, especially in the athletic arena. For all the g*y men who have been called weak, sissies, pansies, too emotional, not tough enough to compete in sports, that final dive was for you. Mitcham helped to shatter those stereotypes and brought me to tears thinking about what was possible

Weak? You try executing incredibly detailed dives from 30 feet up with the whole world watching and a medal on the line. Then nailing a dive that scored higher (112.10 points) than any ever attempted in the Olympics to win the gold medal.

Not tough enough? Mitcham became the first diver, man or woman, to beat the Chinese in Olympic diving this year. And he did it on their home turf by performance flawlessly under pressure like the champion he is. It was the Giants beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl or a golfer beating Tiger Woods with a 50-foot putt to win the Masters.

With his glorious final round of six dives, the 20-year-old Australian became the most significant openly g*y male athlete ever (out lesbians such as Martina Navratilova and Ameile Mauresmo have won their fair share of titles). When it comes to sports, the closet is still much deeper for men than women, which is why Mitcham’s triumph is so historic.

Watching the diving all week, I would bet my life savings that Mitcham was not the only g*y man on the springboard or platform. And Greg Louganis, also g*y and winner of multiple gold medals, is considered the greatest diver ever. But only Mitcham was out publicly while competing and contending for a gold medal, not worried about the reaction or scrutiny it would bring. Never before have g*y sports fan been able to watch a man they know is g*y win such a major sporting event; no need for gaydar with Matthew.

His story resonates because it’s universal for millions of people, especially for many who are g*y: Struggling with depression, his sexuality and possessing a rebellious streak and a taste for partying for a kid who was not sure he fit in (he might have been the only diver in Beijing to have a pierced tongue). He quit diving in 2006 and came back in 2007 after missing the camaraderie in a place where he was accepted. This is not a spoiled rich kid who had things handed to him. It took a corporate grant from Johnson & Johnson to allow his partner, Lachlan Fletcher, to attend the Games.

He's so Awesome!

Matthew Mitcham, athlete. Matthew Mitcham, out and proud g*y man. Matthew Mitcham, 2008 Olympic gold medalist. Writing it all makes me cry again. Thanks, Matt