Epic 'Bradbury' moment as Aussies finish with most medals at an overseas Olympics ever

The Aussie cyclists enjoyed a brilliant final day in Paris ahead of the closing ceremony with Matt Glaetzer avoiding a pile-up to join Matt Richardson on the podium as Australia recorded it's highest medal tally ever at an overseas Olympics. Richardson labelled the keirins event the fastest race he had been involved in throughout his career as the Aussie silver medalist tried to unleash his trademark late push on the final bend of the race.

Although it wasn't enough as favourite Harrie Lavreysen stormed home to claim gold. Incredibly, Glaetzer dodged a rider crash and cruised past a number of bodies on the floor to win his first individual medal in four attempts at the Olympics.

The moment was described as a 'Steve Bradbury' finish for Glaetzer, reminiscent of the famous Aussie ice skater's medal at the Winter Olympics when he cruised past a number of bodies on the floor. And the Aussie's hard work and dedication at four Olympics has finally paid off.

Glaetzer was thrilled to have won alongside Richardson and the duo celebrated together with their families. After the race, Richardson praised Lavreysen as a phenomenal athlete and admitted he couldn't quite get the gold.

"For a moment down the back straight I thought I might get him, but he was smart with his lines that he was taking into the last corner to keep me wide," Richardson said. "It's just crazy - keirins, anything can happen. It's a bit of a lottery and Matty came out winning (bronze). The only thing better than being on the podium is being on the podium with a teammate."

Glaetzer admitted he was fortunate to get a medal, but his hard work had finally paid off. He even suggested he had pulled a 'Bradbury' out of the hat to claim bronze.

"I've had a lot of bad luck in my career and jeez, it's good to finish on some good luck," he said. "I'm just grateful I stayed upright on that final corner. They were bumping me and then I saw them all absolutely hit the deck. All of a sudden I saw I was crossing the line for bronze and I couldn't believe it.

"I felt like a bit of a Steve Bradbury, but oh gosh, it's amazing." Aussie fans were thrilled for Glaetzer and Richardson and couldn't help but also compare his moment with the great Bradbury.

Unfortunately, Georgia Baker was not able to get on the podium in her omnium race as she finished in fifth. The Aussie was holding back tears having hoped to medal for her nation. "I'm pretty upset. I proud of how I rode ... I gave it my all. But I'm still disappointed because my goal was get on the podium," she said.

Australia finished with three gold, a silver and a bronze in the velodrome at the Paris Games. And AusCycling performance boss Jesse Korf noted Australian cycling was in a very strong position heading into the next Olympics in four years time.

"Now it seems like we've been able to rejoin that group of superpowers in cycling, which is incredibly encouraging and exciting," Korf said. We just have to make sure we step through. As much we have to celebrate all the amazing things that happened here, we keep stoic, stay critical and keep building.

Opals add to Aussie medal tally in Lauren Jackson farewell

The Opals added to Australia's medal tally on the final day having won their bronze medal playoff match against Belgium. And it was a fitting way to send Aussie basketball icon Lauren Jackson off into retirement. The 43-year-old played in her fifth Olympic campaign, which was 12 years after her last.

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Jackson didn't take to the court in the bronze medal match, but Ezi Magbegor was instrumental in Australia's four-point win over Belgium in Paris. Jackson was used for a few minutes here and there for the Opals, by her old teammate and coach Sandy Brondello in Paris, but never played a huge role. And she laughed off the minutes during the Olympics and said she was thrilled to have been part of the team.

"Lenny's always like, 'Mum why aren't you getting on the court?'," Jackson said referring to her son's comments about her minutes. "But it was amazing.

"The last four Olympics, I've played minutes and don't have memories of what it felt like to get a medal; they're very vague. It's soaked in, every single minute, and I will remember it for the rest of my life. It's crazy ... when I had them (her two children) there was no thought I was ever going to set foot on the court again. It's happened and it's been special."

Australia finished the Olympics with 18 gold, 19 silver and 16 bronze. Only the USA, China and Japan finished above Australia. In terms of overall medals, the 53 medals was Australia's most successful Olympics campaign overseas. Australia won 58 medals during the 2004 Sydney Olympics.