Cody Simpson delivers touching tribute as Emma McKeon crowned Young Aussie of the Year
Cody Simpson was just like every other smitten, proud partner as Emma McKeon was crowned Young Australian of the Year.
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Cody Simpson was just like every other smitten, proud partner as Emma McKeon was crowned Young Australian of the Year.
The Aussie Olympic legend capped off her golden run with the prestigious Australia Day Honours award — which she received from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Thursday night.
After shattering all records in 2022 and blowing the world away at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the award was long overdue.
McKeon was also a huge part of Australia’s historic triumph at the 2023 Swimming World Championships where the Aussie team walked away with five world records and 13 gold medals — just the second time since the 1956 Melbourne Olympics Australia has beaten the United States in the medal tally of a major international meet.
While 2023 may not have been her best year in the pool, McKeon’s heroics at the 2022 Commonwealth Games alone warranted recognition as Young Australian of the Year.
McKeon is the most successful athlete in the history of the Commonwealth Games with 11 gold medals. In the Birmingham pool alone, she won six gold medals and one bronze.
The 29-year-old is also Australia’s most decorated Olympian with 11 medals – five gold, two silver and four bronze.
Now her freakish performances are getting the recognition deserved.
It’s why pop star turned Aussie swimmer Cody Simpson was left gushing over his partner on Thursday night.
Simpson, who won a gold medal at the 2022 Comm Games as part of an Aussie relay team, posted a touching message about his partner on Instagram as he filmed his TV while watching the Australia Day Honours live.
“Oh, she looks good,” he said from behind the camera as McKeon walked to the podium.
“The most special human @emmamckeon. Congratulations my love. So proud of you,” he wrote.
“I apologise for the intrusive commentary. I’m home alone.”
McKeon was all class in her speech.
“I am so humbled and honoured to have received this award, especially when you look at the calibre and achievements of the other nominees,” she said.
McKeon said it was a privilege to receive the award and hoped it would inspire kids to pursue their sporting dreams.
“I’ve been swimming for as long as I can remember, and I grew up being inspired by incredible athletes, putting a fire in my belly to go after my dreams and do something great with the power of determination and hard work,” she said.
“So going from that young girl to today, it’s still crazy to me that I have now done what I have in sport. And I want young kids to know that I was once in the same position they are – dreaming of one day doing something big.
“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.”
Originally published as Cody Simpson delivers touching tribute as Emma McKeon crowned Young Aussie of the Year
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