Australia's Olympic team returned to Sydney on Wednesday after an impressive performance at the Paris Olympics, winning a record 18 gold medals and finishing fourth on the medals table, surpassing Britain and France. The team was celebrated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and a large crowd at the airport, with athletes like Kaylee McKeown and Matt Wearn expressing gratitude for the public's support. This marked Australia's best performance at an overseas Olympics, with a total of 53 medals, including 19 silver and 16 bronze. Meanwhile, Botswana welcomed home sprinter Letsile Tebogo, who secured the country's first-ever Olympic gold medal in the men's 200m, alongside a silver in the 4x400m relay, prompting a national celebration. The achievements of both nations reflect a growing competitive spirit in global athletics, with Africa seeing increased success in shorter events. The contrasting narratives of triumph in sports and challenges in event management were highlighted as Australia prepares for future games.