Emma McKeon reveals truth behind Paris Olympics poolside breakdown

Australia’s most decorated Olympian has spoken about the moment she was overcome with emotion during the Paris Games.

Emma McKeon reveals truth behind poolside tears

Emma McKeon has revealed the reason behind her poolside breakdown during the Paris Olympics.

McKeon, 30, cut a dejected figure after she finished sixth in the 100m butterfly final in Paris in July.

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Days after announcing she was officially retiring, Australia’s most decorated Olympian spoke about the heartbreaking moment.

“Yeah in Paris I did get a bit emotional,” she said on Channel 7’s Sunrise.

“I guess just knowing that was going to be my last Olympic individual race, walking out in front of that crowd.

“Feeling that adrenaline, it’s what I have been dreaming of doing since I was five years old and I was watching Susie O’Neill on TV at the 2000 Olympics.

“So for that to kind of come to a close, I did feel quite emotional.

“But I had my family in Paris and especially with them not being there in Tokyo (because of Covid restrictions) to be able to celebrate my last Olympics with them there, that was probably one of the highlights of my career.”

Emma McKeon was overcome with emotion.

The Olympian couldn’t hold back the tears.

MORE: Olympic champ Emma McKeon’s $2.4m exit plan

McKeon is enjoying her time relaxing but says her next move will come quickly thanks to the person she is.

“I’m not sure (what is next) yet and I think like, when you’ve been doing something for so long, it is kind of a bit daunting to stop,” she said.

“It’s the same with anyone who stops anything they’ve been doing for such a long time.

“So I’m actually pretty comfortable at the moment to be just kind of doing what I’m doing at the moment.

“You know, spending time relaxing and doing the things I usually can’t do.

“But I’m a very goal driven person, so I know pretty soon I’ll be setting new goals and chasing them.”

McKeon is excited for the future. Source: Instagram.

She finishes as our most decorated Olympian. Picture: Adam Head

McKeon is determined to “have an impact” on people striving for success in the next phase of her life.

With an unsurpassed haul of 14 Olympic medals, McKeon’s record outstrips every other Olympian in Australian history – more than 4300 athletes across 120 years.

“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.”

Emma is taking time before figuring out her next move. Source: Instagram.

McKeon built an unmatched legacy in the pool. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

McKeon finished her Olympic career with three medals in Paris – gold in the women’s 4x100m relay, silver in the women’s 4x100m medley relay and a bronze as a heat swimmer in the mixed 4x100m medley.

Her longtime coach Michael Bohl said she was a “quiet achiever” despite her stunning success.

“Hated any fuss, didn’t want any notoriety but she took great pride in representing her country and supporting her teammates,” he said.

“Winning that 100m free in Tokyo was a standout for me … her first gold medal in Rio, how do I pick one outstanding moment?

“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.

“And while I coached her for 9-10 years, I must acknowledge the superb work her father did in crafting her technique early in her career … he didn’t work her too hard or too long and this meant she could keep swimming until she was 30 years of age.

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

- with NewsWire

Originally published as Emma McKeon reveals truth behind Paris Olympics poolside breakdown