The Olympics

Australia has competed in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. It has been held in Australia twice; once in Melbourne in 1956 and once in Sydney in 2000. Australia first started to compete in the Summer Olympics in 1896, which was in Athens, and has competed ever since. In 1908 and 1912, Australia and New Zealand competed together under the name Australasia. It was Australia’s fourth appearance and New Zealand’s first. Since 1920, Australia competed by itself. Australia has won as little as zero medals and as many as 58. Australia has earned many more medals in the Summer Olympics than the Winter Olympics. For example, they won 58 medals during the summer once while they have won zero medals several times during the Winter Olympics. However, they are constantly improving.