Tokyo Olympics 2020: Wollongong bursting with pride after Emma McKeon’s swimming success

Wollongong is home to Australia’s greatest Olympic swimmer ever and has gone to serious lengths to celebrate Emma McKeon’s Tokyo triumphs. Check them out here.

After golden girl Emma McKeon eclipsed the likes of Ian Thorpe, Dawn Fraser and Shane Gould to become Australia’s most decorated Olympian, her home town went wild.

The city of Wollongong is buzzing after Emma became Australia’s most decorated Olympian, with calls to honour the 27-year-old by adding her name to a pool, landmark or even a pub.

The McKeon family are well known in the Illawarra, with Emma’s parents Susie and Ron having run a swim school in the region for the past 30 years.

As Emma closed in on her historic 11-medal haul, hand painted flags and words of support appeared on the fence of the swim school- and they made it clear the swim star belonged to Wollongong.

Flags were fixed to the fence of the McKeon swim school. Picture: supplied

“Thank you Emma, you golden Gong girl” one of the flags read — and it was just the beginning, with the McKeon family flooded with messages of support over the past two weeks.

“We have been overwhelmed with the support, messages, love from Wollongong and the wider community,” Susie told News Corp.

“The best word we keep using at the moment is ‘surreal’ – what just happened?

“Emma went away ranked in the top four in the world for all her events, including the relays, but to execute it in every race and come away with a medal haul like she did is something I don’t think any of us actually thought about.”

Emma McKeon poses with her seven Olympics medals. Picture: James Chance/Getty Images

Her Olympic record was praised by Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbury, who acknowledged the swim superstar in the latest Wollongong council meeting.

“The City of Wollongong acknowledges Emma’s pre-eminent place in Olympic history and congratulates her accordingly on becoming one of Australia’s greatest swimmers,” the notice of motion read.

It also suggested a parade or event for locals to acknowledge the achievements and dedication of the region’s athletes.

Local state MP Ryan Park backed calls for a homecoming parade upon McKeon’s return to Wollongong.

The Illawarra pub put a cheeky Facebook post renaming the pub after Emma’s success in the pool. Picture: Supplied.

“Emma did more than just become and Olympic champion and set a new Olympic record,” he said.

“As our community struggles with the ongoing impact of Covid she has allowed all of us for 51.96 secs to think of nothing else other than cheering her on.”

And while social media was flooded with ideas to name a pool after her, or change the name of an iconic landmark such as the Sea Cliff Bridge to the “Emma McKeon Bridge”, perhaps the best came from one of Wollongong’s most iconic pubs.

In a cheeky Facebook post, The Illawarra put up a photo with its new name, The McKeon, saying “let us know where to drop the keys Emma”.