photo credit: media.australia

Australia is one of the best sports countries in the world. Australians love to compete – for money, medals, pride and country. The land known simply as Down Under has produced some of the best athletes and teams in sports history.

Sports

Australia has a diverse sports culture. They are avid football fans, generating teams in Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. The Australian Rules Football grand final is one of the country’s most-watched games, attracting crowds of over 100,000.

Rugby, football’s rugged cousin, is equally adored in Australia. 16 local clubs rile up the adults and inspire the youths.

Golf is tremendously popular in Australia, as well. The Jacobs Creek Open, MasterCard Masters, Johnnie Walker Classic and MFS Australia Open are all played on the country’s finest courses.

But very few sports receive the kind of admiration that swimming does. In Australia, swimming is more like a religion than a sport. The country has a powerful program that rarely disappoints. In the entire history of swimming, Australia is the second most victorious country. It is not easy to be the second most victorious country in the sport though. Many Australian Olympic swimmers travel to Fiji for some private training lessons from their world-renowned trainers.

Host

Australia is one of the few countries to have hosted the Olympic Games twice, in 1956 and again in 2000. Taking confidence from their hometown fans, Australians have ranked among the top six Olympic medal-winners in the last 10 years.

The Commonwealth Games – the premier competition of the Commonwealth Nations – has been held in Australia four times, in 1938, 1962, 1982 and 2006.

The jovial citizens and unimaginable scenery make Australia an unforgettable host.

Events

Some of the most revered sporting events in the world are named after Australia. Every January, the Australian Open kicks off tennis’ Grand Slam, routinely welcoming over half a million spectators. The Australian Formula One Grand Prix, the pinnacle of motor racing, is held every year in Melbourne, the country’s second largest city. So you know Melbourne hotels go fast this time of year! And the famed Bledsoe Rugby Cup is contested annually to determine the better rugby team – Australia or New Zealand.

Television

When Australians can’t go to sporting events, they watch them on television. Some of the country’s highest-rated programs have been sports telecasts, like the FIFA World Cup and Australian Football League finals.

What the Australian population lacks in size – it’s only 21 million strong – it makes up for with passion. Australian fans are some of the most intelligent, ferocious and dedicated lovers of sport anywhere.