Emma McKeon announces retirement from swimming
Queensland swimming superstar Emma McKeon, Australia’s most successful Olympian, has announced her retirement from the pool.
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Queensland swimming superstar Emma McKeon has announced her retirement from the pool.
McKeon, who won a record 14 Olympic medals as well as five world championships, took to social media on Monday to announce she was hanging up her cap and goggles for good
“Today I am officially retiring from competitive swimming,” the 30-year-old said on Instagram.
“Leading into Paris, I knew it would be my last Olympics, and the months since have given me time to reflect on my journey, and think about what I wanted my future to look like in swimming.
“I am proud of myself for giving my swimming career absolutely everything, both physically and mentally.
“I wanted to see what I was capable of – and I did.
“Swimming has given me so much. From the dream igniting at 5 years old, right through to my third Olympic Games – I have so many lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that I am so thankful for.
“Along with every person who supported me, worked hard with me and cheered me on, THANK YOU.
“Now I am excited to see how I can push myself in other ways, and for all the things that life has in store.”
McKeon’s announcement brings to an end a career that stretched back to her teens when she almost quit the sport after missing the 2012 London Olympic team.
The softly-spoken sprinter however fought back, with her crowning glory coming at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics when she won a stunning four gold and three bronze medals including the illustrious 50m and 100m freestyle double gold.
“If I look back at that young person – I think I was 17 when I missed London – you couldn’t have told her that I was going to go on to do this,” McKeon said in a statement.
“It’s just persisting, you have ups and you have downs. You just keep going along and you keep ticking the boxes. I can’t believe where I’m at right now and how I got here.
“Leading in to Paris was definitely the hardest preparation I have had. I lost a lot of confidence in my swimming and felt a lot of pressure to back-up what I had done in Tokyo.
“But I’m proud of how I handled it and proud I could still step up for my team while feeling the self-doubt.
“Great things take time, and the long road there is where all the necessary things are learnt to take us to the next level. I will definitely miss it … It’s brought me a lot of great relationships and shaped me into the person I am.
“But I’m definitely ready for the next part of my life, which I’m excited for. I don’t think I’ve had the time to reflect on everything yet.
“I want young kids to know that I was once in the same position they are – dreaming of one day doing something big.
“And I want to have an impact on people’s lives by encouraging them to push hard and go after their dreams and what they are passionate about. Don’t be afraid to take on hard things and set aspirational goals, that may at time be scary. This is how we push ourselves to achieve our dreams.”
Fellow Queensland swimming golden girl Ariarne Titmus was among many wellwishers to react publicly following the announcement.
“So proud of you Em, you’re a legend in and out of the pool forever xx,” she posted.
McKeon is dating pop star and swimmer Cody Simpson and the pair last year bought a $1.8m mansion on the Gold Coast.
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