Why come straight home to lockdown? Australian Olympians ditch two weeks of quarantine after the Tokyo Games to live it up in Europe

While most of Australia's Olympians returned home to endure mandatory two weeks' Covid quarantine, a select few skipped the flight to Darwin and are soaking up the remainder of the European summer abroad instead. 

Hurdler Liz Clay, sprint sensation Rohan Browning, and swimmers Leah Neale, Madi Wilson, Matt Temple, and Brendon Smith headed to Italy at the conclusion of their events in the Tokyo Games. 

Sally Fitzgibbon, who was knocked out of the surfing quarter-finals, also shared snaps from Mexico this week.

Her trip is just as much business as it is pleasure, given Mexico is the next stop on the World Surf League tour. 

Liz Clay has been soaking up the sun in Positano, Italy, since bowing out of the hurdles sprints

Rohan Browning is in Positano, Italy with Clay, 'clearing his head' before returning home to keep training

Australian track and field stars in Clay and Browning, both of whom narrowly missed finals berths at the Olympic Games, are taking advantage of their down time abroad before returning to mandatory quarantine.

They've shared snaps in Positano in Italy as Browning prepares to return home to keep training and Clay sets her sights on the euro circuit later this year. 

Browning, who famously quipped 'I don't think there is an Asahi that is safe in Tokyo tonight' after his 100m semi-final, is 'clearing his head' in Europe before returning home to resume training.

Clay struck a glamorous pose sunbaking under the spectacular clifftops at Positano to the south.

Browning accompanied Clay to Positano, while she also tagged pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall on a walk around the city.

Sally Fitzgibbon, who was knocked out of the surfing quarter-finals, has shared snaps from Mexico this week. Her trip is just as much business as it is pleasure, given Mexico is the next stop on the World Surf League tour 

Madi Wilson was pictured throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain during her time in Italy

Relay bronze medalists Neale and Temple, along with swimmers Wilson and Smith have also shared their adventures taking in Rome's ancient sights.  

When any of the athletes who remain overseas return home, they will be required to complete the mandatory 14-day isolation period.

Most of the returning athletes are already days into the quarantine, opting to do so at the Howard Springs facility near Darwin in the Northern Territory.   

While their digs aren't as glamorous as those in Europe, many of the athletes have kept busy by interacting with fans on social media and filming podcasts. 

Pictured: Matt Temple in Rome, Italy, after competing in Tokyo

Clay confirmed she would be returning to Europe in 2021 to compete in the Euro Circuit

Double gold freestyler Ariarne Titmus made fun of her attempts at crochet on social media and worked out by skipping.

She also joked about the excitement of laundry day - as it meant some variety to the athlete's standard routines.

Former bronze medal diver Annabelle Smith shot video of athletes doing coordinated, socially distanced exercises on the decks of the quarantine cabins.

Several posted glamorous bikini shots, even though they couldn't cool off in the surf, including swimmer Abbey Harkin, super-fit 800m runner Morgan Mitchell and Titmus.

But others chose to quarantine within their own cities. 

Returning gold medal swimmer Cate Campbell was content to complete her isolation inside a hotel in Brisbane, explaining she'd use the time to watch the remainder of the Games on television. 

Pictured: Morgan Mitchell and Annabelle Smith keeping busy during quarantine at Howard Springs 

Several posted glamorous bikini shots, even though they couldn't cool off in the surf, including Morgan Mitchell