The Hon Anika Wells MP
Minister for Aged Care
Minister for Sport
The incredible performance of our Commonwealth Games team in Birmingham has inspired the Albanese Government as it looks ahead to the Victoria 2026 Games.
Australia finished top of the medal table in Birmingham, both on the gold medal count and total medals, with 178 medals including 67 gold, 57 silver and 54 bronze.
Australia also recorded more than 1000 total gold medals over the history of the Commonwealth Games, the most successful nation in the event’s history.
The Albanese Government congratulates all in Australian sport who have contributed to this team effort, including Chef de Mission Petria Thomas for bringing our Games Team together in Birmingham.
Quotes attributable to Acting Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
“Our athletes have done us proud.
“Their efforts, athleticism and professionalism in bringing home over 170 medals is an astonishing feat.
“I want to congratulate all of our athletes who participated in Birmingham and look forward to welcoming them to Geelong in 2026.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:
“The medals are magnificent, it’s what our athletes strive for, but the pride we feel goes beyond far that.
“As a mother I was in awe of Jess Stenson as she strode out to win marathon gold, cheered on by two-year-old son Billy.
“We saw new champions emerge, like Ollie Hoare claiming a historic victory in the men’s 1500m track and field, while our youngest athlete on the team, 14-year-old Charli Petrov, took gold in the diving alongside Melissa Wu.
“We saw established champions like swimmer Emma McKeon become Australia’s most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all-time, and Madison de Rozario become the first Australian Para-athlete to win four Commonwealth Games gold medals.
“I am proud this team represented the modern Australia to the world, featuring a record number of Para-athletes and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes.
“I wish I could have been there to cheer the team on but can’t wait to hear from Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins about how we can replicate this record-breaking effort for Victoria 2026.”
