How the Aussie team for the Paris Olympics is making a long overdue piece of history

Australian Olympic team chef de mission Anna Meares said there were no ongoing security concerns after confirming the third-largest team ever to travel to an away event, with the largest percentage of female athletes ever to travel to Paris.

Meares also confirmed that more than 640 families had signed up for tickets through the family and friends scheme and were planning to travel, amid outrage over the availability and unaffordable prices of some events and because “protests are riots” in the wake of the French election.

“As we know, there is unrest and riots and protests in Paris. This is normal, this is how they express themselves,” Meares said Wednesday.

“I am very confident that the Games will go ahead. There will be more security on the ground in Paris, and that is fine, I think that makes us, me, feel safer.”

The team consisted of 460 athletes aged 14 to 51. Australians competed in 33 different sports and in terms of the number of participants at Games abroad, the team was only surpassed by Tokyo 2020 (486) and Athens 2004 (482).

The 632-player Australian team that competed in Sydney in 2000 is unlikely to be defeated quickly.

The number of Olympic debutants has fallen, with 231 debutants going to Paris, but the 256 female athletes make up 55.6 per cent of the team, the highest percentage in Australian history.

When the last Games were held in Paris in 1924, there were no women on the Australian team.

Female athletes make up 55.6 percent of the team this year – the highest percentage ever

“What a journey it’s been,” said Meares.

‘I think we take it for granted, but we are really punching above our weight. Competing in Paris in 33 sports – that is a huge credit to our sports, obviously the athletes themselves and the sporting system here with our Australian Institute of Sport and state and territory institutes and academies across the country.

‘It is right that as we have announced the team selections over the past nine months, we have also paid tribute to the families and support networks behind each athlete. Within every sport, there are coaches, volunteers and many others who have raised their hands to make these Olympic dreams a reality.

“It’s exciting that so many families will have the opportunity to travel to France to watch our athletes compete – something that simply wasn’t possible with Tokyo 2020. So far, approximately 740 families have signed up for our Family and Friends program and 643 have indicated they will travel to Paris.”

Equestrian Shane Rose, the man who returned from a suspension for wearing a mankini and was injured after being crushed by a horse, is the oldest team member at 51, and skateboarder Arisa Trew is the youngest at 14.

There will be several new events that Australians will compete in, including kayakcross, mixed team race walking and 3×3 basketball.

“The fact that Australia is competing in 33 sports means that everyone at home will be able to watch Australians in action across multiple sports every day of the Games,” Meares said.

‘Our biggest days are Saturday July 27th and Saturday August 3rd. On both days we will probably participate in 20 sports.

When the Games were last held in Paris, there were no women on the Australian team

‘The logistical challenge was enormous. Our planning team booked over 3,000 flights, organised accommodation in the Paris Village, satellite villages and sub-sites with a view to delivering the same quality of service from the first arriving athlete to the last.

“Everyone has had a different Olympic experience and that is very helpful for our athletes who will experience the highs and lows of Olympic competition.”

The composition of the Australian team is subject to change before the opening match on July 24, depending on athlete withdrawals or additional quota places due to withdrawals of athletes from other countries.