Emma McKeon strikes the mother lode in Games gold rush

Emma McKeon is on a flight to Venice, pop star turned swimming rookie Cody Simpson in the seat beside her and a much heavier handbag in her lap.

Emma McKeon now now holds the record for the most career gold medals (14) and most career medals (20) at the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Michael Klein

Emma McKeon is on a flight to Venice, pop star turned swimming rookie Cody Simpson in the seat beside her and a much heavier handbag in her lap.

The airport X-ray machine will have picked up why her hand luggage is so heavy – eight sold metal discs, six of them gold, from 16 races over six days at Birmingham’s Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

McKeon took a final bow on the last night at the pool in the 4x100m medley relay, winning her sixth gold medal. She joined Susie O’Neill and Ian Thorpe for the most gold at a Commonwealth Games. Her eight medals matched O’Neill’s record for the most at a single Games. She now holds the record for the most career gold medals (14) and most career medals (20) at the event.

Emma McKeon and Cosy Simpson after the last night of swimming. Picture: Michael Klein

The medley performance sent a warning to the swimming world that great things are in store for the Paris Olympics.

Swimming the butterfly leg, McKeon joined forces with Australia’s latest swimming superstar Mollie O’Callaghan (freestyle), Kaylee McKeown (backstroke) and Chelsea Hodges (breaststroke) to win in devastating fashion, stopping the clock at 3:54.36, just outside the Commonwealth record.

Emma McKeon of Australia after winning silver in the Women's 100m Butterfly Final.

At the end of all that, a Euro­pean holiday with boyfriend Simpson is well deserved. “I’m obviously really happy to be on top of the podium for the medley relay,” McKeon said. “It’s always fun to do; we like to be a bit silly in the marshalling area because it’s the last one. I’m happy with how the week went. I don’t even know (how I’m going to wind down). Tomorrow I’m going to Italy so that will be my celebration.”

O’Callaghan has some way to go to catch McKeon, but she has a bullet beside her name. Just 18, she is building an impressive trophy collection, winning two golds and a bronze in Tokyo last year, three golds and three silvers at the recent world championships in Budapest and now seven medals in the Commonwealth Games.