Australian Olympic Firsts

The FIRST ever Australia gold medallist was Edwin Flack (athletics) – 2 gold (800m, 1500m), in Athens 1896.
The FIRST (and only) time animals were killed on purpose in an Olympic event was in 1900 for the live pigeon shooting event. An Australian Donald MacIntosh came third with 18 birds killed.
The FIRST women's swimming gold medal (from any country) was won by the Australian Sarah 'Fanny' Durack, who won the 100m freestyle in 1912.
the FIRST appearance of an Australian athlete at the Winter Olympic Games was at the 1936 Winter Olympics. Australia sent one athlete, Kenneth Kennedy.
the FIRST Australian women athletes at the Winter Olympics were Figure Skaters Nancy Hallam and Gweneth Molony at Oslo in 1952.
the FIRST time Australia hosted the Olympic Games was in Melbourne in 1956. Australia again hosted the Games in Sydney 2000.
the FIRST medal won by Australia at the Winter Olympics was bronze at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer in the men's short track relay.
the FIRST gold medal by an Australian at the Winter Olympics was the unlikely first place by Steven Bradbury in 1,000 m Short Track event in 2002 at Salt Lake City, when all of the other competitors spectacularly fell over on the last bend (see video).
The FIRST women's gold medal for Australia was also in 2002 at Salt Lake City when Alisa Camplin won the Aerials event.

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