NSWIS clocks 100 Olympic medals 

The NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS), through the incredible performances of its scholarship athletes supported by the organisation’s high performance experts, has contributed a century of Olympic medals to the nation’s overall Olympic medal tally.  

The 100^th medal, silver, was won by William Yang as a heat swimmer in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.  

A few minutes prior fellow NSWIS swimmers Bronte Campbell and Olivia Wunsch won gold medals as heat swimmers in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay.

“This is a phenomenal result for a state institute,” NSWIS CEO Kevin Thompson said.  

“History would tell us that NSWIS is a significant contributor to the Olympic and Paralympic medal tallies.”  

Prior to the start of the Paris Games, NSWIS had enjoyed an enviable record for assisting 113 athletes win a total of 98 Summer Olympic Medals across 14 sports including rowing (31 Olympic medallists), hockey (23 Olympic medallists) and swimming (20 Olympic medallists).   

“The Institute punches well above its weight, succeeding many countries in their own national Olympic medal tallies – during the same period New Zealand had won 75 Olympic medals, Denmark 62, Sweden 60, Croatia 38 and Ireland 20 Olympic medals. 

“NSWIS offers a huge amount of support to athletes whether that is providing world class venues to train from or a support service, such as sport science, sport medicine, data science, equipment technology and critically coaching.” 

Among the illustrious group of NSWIS Olympic medallists are Ian Thorpe, who won nine Olympic medals in swimming at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games; Bradley McGee who won five Olympic medals in cycling across three Olympic Games; Natalie Ward and Melanie Roche, who both won Olympic medals in softball at four consecutive Olympic Games from 1996 to 2008 and reigning Olympic Champion Jessica Fox, who has won four Olympic medals in canoe slalom and has her sights set on more in Paris.  

Since it commenced operations in 1996, NSWIS has forged a world-class reputation for the significant role it plays in supporting high performance athletes who have the skills and traits that are necessary to represent Australia at the Olympic, Paralympic or Commonwealth Games.  

“I am incredibly proud of the athletes who have won these medals as well as the high performance experts who supported them on their journey to the Olympic podium. 

“As we look towards our home Games in 2032, it is essential we continue to support high performance sport in the state.” 

Frances Cordaro, NSWIS