And what perfect timing. If ever Australians needed a distraction from a never ending litany of bad news it is now. While almost 200 people with links to the games - including 20 athletes - have been diagnosed with COVID since teams began arriving in the Olympic bubble, cases have been identified early and isolated at once. Earlier calls for the event to be abandoned have largely been forgotten.

Australia's representatives have been at the forefront and, as of mid morning Thursday we were ranked fourth on the medal tally ahead of Great Britain, Russia - aka ROC - and Germany.

Which is exceptional given the much greater populations of many of the countries such as Great Britain, South Korea, France and Germany.

By lunchtime on Thursday Australia's haul had grown to 38 medals; 17 gold, four silver and 17 bronze. That compared more than favourably to the total of 29 medals, including eight gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze from Rio five years ago.

Of course that includes Culburra Beach's Owen Wrights' bronze in the surfing the first ever surfing medal. And then another Shoalhaven success late Monday evening with Berry's Shane Rose (left - Photo Carolyn Kaster AP) claiming silver in the equestrian team eventing and Will Ryan and Mat Belcher who claimed gold in the 470 sailing. We'll claim Will - he is the grandson of longtime and well-known former local doctors Bill and Pat Ryan. His younger sister Jaime is also competing at the games in sailing.

There has been some remarkable performances - none bigger or better than Wollongong's Emma McKeon, who picked up seven medals and became Australia's most successful Olympic swimming medal winner. Wow we did well in the pool. Another triumph was Jessica Fox's first gold in three Olympics with an outstanding victory in the canoe slalom. Fox, who secured the bronze in her preferred K1 canoe slalom earlier, had previously chased the elusive gold in London in 2012 and in Rio in 2016. And what about the inspirational performance of Peter Bol who went within a whisker of an historic medal in the 800m. And how gracious was he after his incredible run?

Our athletes have done us proud. And, more than that, they have provided inspiration, hope and joy at a time when they are in short supply.