Australia’s most successful Olympian Emma McKeon has called time on her swimming career

Australia’s most successful Olympian Emma McKeon has confirmed her retirement from swimming, leaving an inspirational message for the country’s next generation of stars.

It was fitting that the end of the greatest Olympic career of any Australian athlete came via an Instagram post and statement rather than a tearful, emotional interview.

Emma McKeon might be Australia’s most successful Olympic athlete, but she’s always been far more comfortable behind the goggles in her own lane than behind a microphone and the centre of attention.

The one thing that has never changed across her illustrious 15-year international career is that while McKeon might be seen as the girl next door, her public persona masks an inner drive and ambition than has fuelled her competitive streak.

Humble to the point of being awkwardly shy when the cameras are rolling, McKeon is far more outgoing to those who know her best.

“She is a quiet achiever, hated any fuss, didn’t want any notoriety but she took great pride in representing her country and supporting her teammates,” long time coach Michael Bohl said.

“What Emma has done is unsurpassed, she set the standard for the world for so long and along the way never turned anyone away from an autograph or thought she was bigger than the team.

“What she has achieved is our sport is unsurpassed.”

Emma McKeon in action during her final Olympics in Paris. Picture: Adam Head

Making her Dolphins debut at the 2010 world short course titles, McKeon amassed more medals across her international career than any other Australian swimmer.

Her Olympic record stands at 14 medals - the most of any Australian - including six gold, three silver and five bronze medals.

She is also the most successful competitor in Commonwealth Games history with a career tally of 20 medals, including 14 gold, with her eight medals at Birmingham in 2022 the equal most medals by a competitor at a single Games.

Renowned for her busy program and relentless racing, not a meet would flash by without McKeon appearing across multiple days of the race schedule and quite often gracing the podium to collect yet another medal.

While there had been questions about whether she would continue after her historic Tokyo four gold medal Olympic haul in 2021, McKeon’s professionalism to managing her recovery across the many years meant she somehow reached the finish line at the 2024 Paris Olympics with her body - in this case her shoulder - hanging in by a thread.

Her career is a testament to an athlete who was always fully committed to the small things that can make a major difference at an elite level.

“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.”

McKeon retires with an unprecedented 14 medals. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse, who is also an LA Olympic swimming medalist, McKeon’s former manager and her uncle, said she woule leave a lasting legacy on the pool.

“Emma will be remembered in the same vein as Dawn, Shane, Susie and Murray, Kieren and Thorpey – that she was one of our greatest,” he said.

“From a personal point of view, watching her Tokyo campaign and in particular watching her win gold in the 100m freestyle was one of the greatest races I have ever watched but I have also loved watching her advocate for those coming up through the ranks.

“She will also be remembered for how she represented swimming. The standards she set in and out of the water were second to none and she has a lifelong love of the sport so she won’t be disappearing from swimming.”

Originally published as Australia’s most successful Olympian Emma McKeon has called time on her swimming career