The Australian Olympic Team at the Olympic Stadium, Los Angeles, 1932 - photographer unknown

(presumably) (standing, from left to right): Clare Dennis, Boy Charlton, Eileen Wearne, Edward Scarf, N.N., Mrs. Baker, George Golding, Bonnie Mealing, Bobby Pearce, Frances Bult (sitting, from left to right): James Quinn, Alex Hillhouse, Bill Barwick, Edgar "Dunc" Gray, Noel Ryan, N.N.

The 13-strong Australian team returned from the Los Angeles Games with five medals: three gold, one silver and a bronze. The three gold, won by cyclist Edgar "Dunc" Gray, rower Henry "Bobby" Pearce and teenage swimmer Clare Dennis, matched the record total from Paris in 1924. The silver medal was won by swimmer Philomena "Bonnie" Mealing in the women's 100m backstroke, while Eddie Scarf's bronze in freestyle wrestling was the first Australian medal in the sport.

The Sydney 2000 Olympic velodrome was named in Dunc Gray's honour.

Clare Dennis was the youngest woman to win a gold medal in Los Angeles, aged 16.

The Australian flag at the Opening Ceremony was carried by swimming legend Andrew "Boy" Charlton. However, unlike the previous two Games of 1924 and 1928, Charlton did not win a medal in Los Angeles, his performance affected by illness.

Australia competed in five sports in Los Angeles: aquatics (swimming), athletics, cycling, rowing and wrestling. Of these, athletics was the only sport in which no medal was won. The team was small as amateur athletes earnt little money and the travelling expenses from Australia were always high because of distance. Reference: Australian Olympic Committee website

Format: Photograph

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