Article by Mikaela Mulveney, courtesy of the Courier Mail.
Queensland is punching above its weight in the Paris Olympics, its eight gold medals outstripping those of many entire countries.
If the Sunshine State was a nation, as of Sunday it would have been tied with Japan in seventh place on the medal tally with eight golds – and would be ahead of more populated countries such as Italy and Canada, according to research by economist Colin Dwyer.
Queensland had also garnered five silver and two bronze for a total of 15 medals.
It comes as Australia clocks up its best ever gold medal haul for the first eight days with 12, one more than at Athens in 2004 and two more than at Sydney in 2000.
Seven of Queensland’s eight golds were won in the pool, with the state alone clinching the top of the Olympics swimming table.
The other gold, from Queensland-born BMX rider Saya Sakakibara, was a landmark first for any Australian Olympian in the sport.
On a suburban level, Indooroopilly – home to St Peter’s Lutheran College, where golden girls Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan and their coach Dean Boxall are based -boasts four of the swimming gold medals.
This places it second on the swimming table – below USA – and 12th overall on the Paris Olympics table.
With 1.3 million residents and seven gold medals, Brisbane is second in the per capita gold medal race with a gold for every 189,000 residents.
The Caribbean island of St Lucia with a population of 180,000 is currently on top after winning the women’s 100m sprint on Saturday night.
Premier Steven Miles said the results from these athletes showed the immense talent that had been produced in the state.
“If Queensland were its own nation, we would be up there as one of the top achievers on the medal tally,” he said.
“It’s a testament to our schools, community and high-performance sporting clubs right around Queensland that have helped to produce medal winning athletes for our state, and our nation.
“Queensland’s best have absolutely dominated in the first week of the Olympic Games, and none more so than our female athletes.
“To all our Queensland athletes, you have already done our state so proud, let’s bring it home.”
Federal Sport Minister and proud Queenslander Anika Wells echoed the sentiment that the results proved the Sunshine State was the best.
“This is yet further proof that Queensland is the best country in the world,” she told The Courier-Mail.
“The best nation on Earth.
“You’re welcome Australia.”
THE QUEENSLANDERS WINNING GOLD
- Ariarne Titmus (400m freestyle)
- Mollie O’Callaghan (200m freestyle)
- Kaylee McKeown (100m & 200m backstroke)
- Cameron McEvoy (50m freestyle)
- Saya Sakakibara (BMX)
- Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay (3x Queenslanders)
- Women’s 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay (3x Queenslanders)
