Olympics 2020: Australia hail Tokyo campaign as balm for pandemic struggles back home

Australia's Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman hailed his team's record-equalling performance at the TokyoOlympicson Sunday, wiping tears from his eyes as he spoke of its impact on people back home - a nation largely in COVID-19 lockdown.

The Australian team had won 17 gold medals heading into the final day of action in Tokyo, matching their previous best haul from the 2004 AthensOlympics.

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Chesterman said the unique circumstances of the firstOlympicsheld during a global pandemic would make their achievements even more memorable.

"I believe Australia will remember this team for decades to come," he told a news conference.

"They've made a real connection with people back home. It's been such a tough time in so many communities and the athletes have been so conscious of that over here.

"Their performances and the way they've conducted themselves on and off the field has been superb. The Australians have taken these athletes to their hearts."

After disappointing medal hauls at London 2012 and Rio 2016, Australia kick-started their Tokyo campaign in swimming.

They won a record nine golds and 20 medals overall in the pool with Emma McKeon becoming the first woman swimmer to win seven medals in a single Games.

More gold medals followed in canoeing, kayaking, sailing, and rowing, while Keegan Palmer wonthe nation's first Olympic title in skateboarding.

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After thanking host nation Japan for pulling off the "impossible", Chesterman spoke movingly of what the 486 athletes had endured with the strict health protocols in force in Tokyo.

"It's been a pretty tough Games, I've got to say," he said when asked to explain his emotional state. "And everything we set out to achieve, we did.

He said the team was "very aware" of how the Games had cheered up people in lockdown in Australia.

"We've all got our own families at home, and we've seen the impact this has had on them," Chesterman added.

Brushing aside a question about the misbehavior of some Australian athletes, Chesterman said his priority had been to allow the athletes to fulfill their dreams and then to get them safely back to their families.

"It's a huge relief," he said. "It's a big campaign, it's just important that we get them home, and we will."