Ian Thorpe’s classy act after Emma McKeon breaks his Olympic record, again

Emma McKeon has again rewritten the Olympic history books and broken another Ian Thorpe record, much to the swim legend’s surprise.

Emma McKeon now has more golds than Ian Thorpe.

Ian Thorpe thought all his records had been broken at the Tokyo Olympics, only for Emma McKeon to surpass him again in Paris.

It was a golden opening day of action at the Paris Olympics, with Australia winning three golds to be on top of the medal tally in the very early stages of competition.

Grace Brown won cycling’s individual time trial before Ariarne Titmus defended gold in the 400m freestyle and Australia’s women’s 4x100m freestyle relay won their fourth consecutive gold.

That relay gold was McKeon’s sixth Olympic gold, overtaking Thorpe who claimed five golds across his two Olympic appearances in Sydney and Athens.

But now with her third 4x100m freestyle title to go along with a medley relay gold and the 50m-100m freestyle double from Tokyo — McKeon stands alone as Australia’s most successful Olympian, no matter how you slice it.

Told of her record-breaking feat, McKeon said: “Wow. I don’t keep track of that kind of stuff. I hear it from you guys. It’s an honour really.”

Emma McKeon has the most gold and total medals of any Aussie Olympian. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The 30-year-old had already become Australia’s most successful Olympian, by overall medal tally, in Tokyo when her mega haul saw her overtake Thorpe with 11 overall medals.

Thorpe paid tribute to McKeon on Nine’s broadcast — although he thought all his Olympic medal records had already been broken.

“Well, do you know I thought it happened at the last Olympics,” Thorpe said.

“That was how I felt. We were equal on gold and she had one more silver or something like. “I counted it the normal way so I thought she was already there. Now it’s very clear and Emma McKeon has one more gold medal than I do and I couldn’t think of anyone better to have that title.”

Giaan Rooney added: “She was saying I don’t take stock of those milestones. That is not a factor I know.

“That is what we have come to love about Emma — she doesn’t look at records or the big milestones.

“For her, it’s about swimming the best she can every single time she gets in the water. She was quite emotional after the relay tonight.

“She was almost taking it all in, knowing this is her last Olympics, the last time we will see her in the pool. It really felt like it sunk in for the first time. It was magical to watch.”

Thorpey thought McKeon already had the record. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Emma McKeon stands alone with six golds. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Now with 12 total medals, McKeon can add to her collection in the 100m butterfly, and the 4x100m women’s and mixed medley relays.

But she won’t get the chance to defend her individual Olympic titles in the 50m and 100m freestyle, with Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack and Meg Harris qualifying for those swims at the Aussie swim trials.

Australia also picked up two silvers in the pool thanks to Elijah Winnington in the 400m freestyle and the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay.

A golden night for the golden girls. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Aussie swimmers on cusp of history

Thorpe, Ariarne Titmus, Murray Rose, Shane Gould each have won three Olympic golds in individual events.

If she beats Mollie O’Callaghan in the 200m freestyle, Titmus will make more history after becoming the first woman to defend her Olympic 400m crown in 96 years.

No swimmer, male or female, has ever won both 200m and 400m freestyle gold at consecutive Olympics.

Fellow Aussie Kaylee McKeown could also become our most successful Olympic swimmer in individual events in Paris.

The backstroker is out to defend her 100m and 200m titles and is also a serious contender in the 200m medley.

Australia’s swimming team haven’t topped the medal tally at an Olympics since Melbourne 1956.

They won nine golds in Tokyo and if all goes well, they could knock America off their perch and end a 68-year drought.