Peter Bol went within a whisker of a historic medal in the 800m, Ash Moloney is halfway to a potential podium finish in the decathlon and the Hull-Hall combination turned it on in the women’s 1500m.
But it was heartbreak on her 32nd birthday for the popular Genevieve Gregson.
Day six of the track and field program at the Tokyo Olympics pretty much covered the whole gamut of emotions for Australia.
The Sudanese-born Bol sensed he had captured the heart of a nation after twice smashing the Australian 800m record in Tokyo en route to the final.
The 27-year-old pledged to employ the same plucky front-running approach in the decider and was as good as his word.
Bol led for a good portion of the final, only to be mowed down by Kenyans Emmanual Korir and Ferguson Rotich in the final straight and finish fourth.
“The goal was to win so we didn’t get the job done,” said Bol.
“But I’m proud of where we are, we’re here and the best part of this is that it has not been a journey just about myself, but having the whole nation behind me.
“That’s power in sports and we did that tonight.”
Moloney, 21, is considered to be the next big thing by the Australian track and field cognoscenti.
Even so, sitting in second spot at the midway point of the decathlon, just 81 points behind Canada’s Damian Warner, is exceeding all but the most optimistic of expectations.
To put his potential achievement in perspective, no Australian has ever finished better than sixth in an Olympic decathlon.
The nation is also still waiting for a first Olympic women’s 1500m medallist.
That lofty aim may prove to be just beyond new national record holder Jessica Hull and Linden Hall on Friday night, but they have both put themselves in the mix with gutsy semi-final runs.
No other country will have more than one runner in the final.
But the news was terrible for the popular Gregson, who ruptured her achilles tendon while attempting to clear the last barrier in the women’s steeplechase final.
The national record holder left the arena in obvious distress in a wheelchair.
“I’m heartbroken & don’t have the words right now to respond to you all but in short – ruptured Achilles on the last water jump,” tweeted the three-time Olympian.
“Happy Birthday me! Thank you for all the support & lovely messages. I’ll try to respond in time.
“For now I need to mend my heart, soul & Achilles.”
AAP
