Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon retires

Sydney: Emma McKeon, Australia's most decorated Olympian, officially announced her retirement from competitive swimming on Monday, bringing an end to an extraordinary career. With 14 Olympic medals, including six golds, McKeon set the Australian record for the most Olympic medals, achieved over three incredible Summer Olympics.

McKeon’s impressive medal tally includes a record-breaking seven medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games, the highest-ever by a female swimmer at a single Olympics, and the most by any female athlete from any sport at the Games.

At 30 years old, McKeon had previously hinted that the 2024 Paris Olympics would be her final competitive appearance. She had already secured a gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay in Paris, but had not confirmed whether she would retire after the Games.

In her announcement, McKeon expressed pride in her career, stating that she had given everything to the sport, both physically and mentally. She mentioned that her goal was to see what she was capable of, and she believed she had achieved that.

Reflecting on her journey, McKeon acknowledged the profound impact swimming had on her life. She recalled how the sport had provided her with invaluable lessons, experiences, friendships, and memories from her childhood dream at five years old to her third Olympic Games.

McKeon’s career spanned the Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she won six gold medals, three silver, and five bronze. She is second only to American swimmer Katie Ledecky in terms of Olympic swimming golds, with Ledecky having won nine golds over four Olympic Games.

Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman paid tribute to McKeon’s extraordinary legacy. He emphasized how McKeon had become a key figure in Australian sporting history through her Olympic success, particularly her achievements in Tokyo. He further highlighted McKeon’s global recognition as one of the greatest Olympians ever.

With PTI inputs