SYDNEY (Australia): Emma McKeon, Australia’s most decorated Olympian, has announced her retirement from competitive swimming at the age of 30. With 14 Olympic medals, including six gold, McKeon has cemented her place as one of the sport’s greats.
“I am officially retiring from competitive swimming,” McKeon shared on Instagram, reflecting on her remarkable career. She noted that she knew the Paris 2024 Olympics would be her last, and the time since has allowed her to plan for the future.
McKeon’s defining moment came at the Tokyo 2020 Games, where she won an incredible seven medals — four gold and three bronze — surpassing the record of six held by other swimming legends like Kristin Otto and Natalie Coughlin. Her performance matched the record for the most medals won by a female athlete at a single Olympics, alongside Russian gymnast Maria Gorokhovskaya.
A versatile swimmer excelling in freestyle and butterfly, McKeon’s career nearly ended after she failed to qualify for London 2012. However, she bounced back to become Australia’s most decorated Olympian, a title that speaks to her resilience and determination.
McKeon, born in Wollongong, comes from a family with a strong swimming legacy. Her father Ron swam at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, and her brother David represented Australia in 2012 and 2016.
“A true role model for young athletes,” said Australian swim coach Rohan Taylor. McKeon’s coach, Michael Bohl, added that she was “a quiet achiever” who took pride in representing her country.
While retiring from competition, McKeon’s passion for swimming ensures she will remain a significant figure in the sport for years to come. – AFP
