Australia Faces Double Blow in Paris Olympics

Australia has had a tough night at the Paris Olympics with both the Opals basketball team and boxer Harry Garside suffering unexpected defeats on Monday.

The Opals, who were considered strong contenders for a medal, lost their opening match against Nigeria 75-62. After a sluggish start, they tried to fight back but fell short in the end. Team veteran Lauren Jackson didn’t hold back her disappointment and labeled the performance as a “disaster.”

Jackson emphasized the missed opportunities, saying, “Free throws will win or lose you the game. If we had made our free throws, it could have been a different ball game.” With upcoming matches against Canada and France, the Opals now face a steep challenge to advance from the group stage.

The euphoria of the Australian team quickly faded as Harry Garside also faced heartbreak in the boxing ring. The 2020 bronze medalist was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Hungarian Richard Kovacs, losing by unanimous decision.

Garside started the fight strong but was eventually overwhelmed in the later rounds. After the bout, he showed his sportsmanship by helping his opponent out of the ring, despite the heat of the match. Speaking to the media, he reflected on his emotions, saying, “Two decades dedicated to one dream and it’s all over just like that. I feel pretty numb right now,” highlighting the weight of his loss.

While the day was filled with disappointments, there were some bright spots for Australia. The women’s rugby sevens team ended the pool stage undefeated after a close win against Ireland. Maddison Levi stood out in the match, contributing significantly to the team’s success.

Meanwhile, in the equestrian events, Chris Burton secured a strong position in the individual eventing, finishing third in dressage and moving up after the jumping phase. His fellow competitor Shane Rose expressed deep emotional ties with his retiring horse, Virgil, after their final run together.

As the athletics continue, Australia hopes for better fortunes in the upcoming events while grappling with the sting of their recent losses.