Victorians had been stunned into distress earlier in the day, as news of 29 new COVID-19 cases triggered flashbacks of pain and loneliness.

Half of the country was in lockdown.

The neutrals were tiring of a never-ending rally of accusations and sneers from their leaders.

Yet, there was a release. A time to sink into a world once thought unimaginable last year.

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When Brian Goorjian - the Miners' inaugural coach - embraced Patty Mills after the Boomers' bronze medal heroics, he did so not only as a proud coach but on behalf of all of Australia.

When Mills teared up as he spoke of returning home and hang his medal at his parent's home, we teared up alongside him.

After nearly two years where not one Australian was untroubled, there was a time for an outpouring of relief.

There was something to be joyous about countrywide.

The beauty of this year's Olympics was not in the sporting feats, but the comfort in seeing that anything could be beaten.

It started with Kyra Cooney-Cross and the Matildas.

The 19-year-old's selection for Tokyo was momentous alone, but the Ballarat Red Devils product and her teammates charmed the country.

An opening win against New Zealand was the perfect start to Australia's Olympic campaign. The following loss to Sweden was tough but could be worn in a year of setbacks.

A scoreless draw against world champions, the United States, sparked belief before an extra-time quarterfinal win against Great Britain entrenched Cooney-Cross's side in history.

Bronze eventually evaded the Matildas, but no Australian soccer team - men's or women's - had progressed further at an Olympics.

Then there was Ballarat's golden girl - Lucy Stephan.

A self-described "little kid from the country", who grew up in a drought-stricken town, no bigger than 1500 people, had conquered the world.

When's Stephan's women's four crew fought off a Dutch comeback to win gold, it wasn't just her native Nhill, or once homeland Ballarat, riding every stroke with her.

It was an entire country.

For 17 days, switching screens on and immersing oneself in patriotism was the only way out.

It's numbing to think of how things were when the Games started back on Friday, July 23.

New South Premier premier Gladys Berejiklian first forewarned a "national emergency" after announcing 136 new cases.

Victoria reported 14 new cases and was nearing the end of its fifth lockdown.

Athletes in masks were paraded around an empty stadium after a procession of tap dancers, and lone figures on treadmills played their roles.

Five days later - Wednesday, July 28.

Sydney's lockdown had been extended a month after 177 new cases were recorded.

Victoria enjoyed its first day out of lockdown, as bars, cafes, and shops tiptoed towards normality.

Lucy Stephan's women's four victory started a remarkable hour of rowing that delivered Australia two golds and two bronzes. In the pool, Ariarne Titmus won her second gold medal of the Games in the 200m freestyle.

One week passes - Wednesday, August 4.

A man in his 20s dies of COVID-19 at his Sydney home, as New South Wales experiences 233 new cases.

Victorians dared to revel in what they believed to be a "doughnut day".

COVID-19 was front on mind until 10:05pm when 2.46 million people tuned into Seven to will Australian Peter Bol to fourth in the men's 800m final.

The next day - Thursday, August 5 - half the nation, Ballarat included, was trapped inside their homes.

That same day Keegan Palmer claimed Australia's first skateboarding gold, the men's hockey side won silver, and Cedric Dubler defied a hamstring injury to selflessly encourage compatriot Ash Moloney to a decathlon bronze in a moment that will live forever in sporting history.

On each day that threatened to derail us the most, the Olympics, in turn, ultimately provided its defining moments.

The Games we didn't think would happen came at a time when we needed it most.

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