Aussie Olympics great makes stunning prediction about how many gold medals the nation can win in Paris

Former Australian Olympic Committee boss John Coates has declared the nation can win up to 60 medals at the Paris Games.

The current International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president also believes rising track star Jessica Hull is good enough to emulate Aussie sporting great Cathy Freeman when she competes in the 1500m.

‘I’m really excited by what’s to come, this is a strong Australian team, I think we will do very well,’ Coates said.

‘It will be hard to see exactly where we end up, but I believe we should be somewhere in the 50-to-60 medal region.’

Australia’s best ever medal Games haul was in Sydney, with 58 athletes – including 16 gold – in 2000 on home soil.

With the Aussie swimmers widely tipped to excel in the pool plus the likes of canoeist Jess Fox and the Boomers men’s basketball team – that return could be exceeded in the City of Love. 

Coates also has no doubt Hull can return home a gold medal winner.

‘I think she can be a [global] star,’ he told News Corp.

The current International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president also believes track star Jessica Hull is good enough to emulate Aussie sporting great Cathy Freeman when she competes in the 1500m

Coates anticipates the Dolphins swim team will leave their mark in the pool (pictured, Emma McKeon)

‘One of the pleasing things over the last four years has been the re-emergence of our athletics team.

‘Jessica Hull…..what she is doing at the moment, she is unbelievable. ‘I’m also looking forward to seeing our swimmers and the rowing.’

Meanwhile, the Australian men’s Sevens team got the ball rolling on Wednesday AEDT with hard-fought pool wins against Samoa (21-14) and Kenya (21-7).

John Manenti’s men are now already through to the quarter-finals with a group game still to be played.

Australia next play Argentina on Thursday night at 10.30pm AEDT, before the quarter-finals on Friday.

They are expected not to rest any of their stars as a defeat would mean a likely quarter-final clash against hosts France or Fiji.

‘If we get France, there’s a bit of pressure and expectation on them,’ Manenti said.

‘It’s an amazing atmosphere out there. I was out there when France ran on and the noise was deafening – as it should be.

Defender Steph Catley will captain the Matildas in Paris with striker Sam Kerr out injured

‘They are at home, they have a great side and are contending for a medal. 

‘It is what makes this tournament special, to be honest.’

The Aussie Sevens women’s squad take on South Africa in their first match on July 29 from 12am AEDT, before then lining up against Great Britain (3.30am, July 29) and Ireland at 10.30pm AEDT on the same date.

Tony Gustavsson’s Matildas tackle Germany on July 26 from 3am AEDT in Marseille, with further matches against Zambia (July 29, 3am) and the US (August 1, 3am).

Steph Catley will captain the side in the absence of injured striker Sam Kerr.