Australia’s best ever Olympian Emma McKeon makes huge call on swimming future

Australia’s greatest ever Olympian has officially called time on her swimming career, with Emma Mckeon making the big announcement on Monday.

Born in 1994 in Wollongong, New South Wales, McKeon is Australia’s most decorated Olympian, having collected a total of fourteen Olympic medals during her career.

Now, after sealing her legacy at the Paris Olympics, she will officially retire from all forms of competitive swimming.

“Today I am officially retiring from competitive swimming,” McKeon wrote on social media.

‘Heading to Paris I knew it would be my last Olympic Games, and the months since have given me time to reflect on my journey and think about what I wanted my future to look like in swimming.

‘I am proud of myself for giving my swimming career absolutely everything, both physically and mentally.

The glamorous swimmer, pictured with partner Cody Simpson, is the most decorated Australian Olympian of all time

“I wanted to see what I was capable of, and I did. Swimming has given me so much. From the dream that started when I was five years old, to my third Olympic Games – I have so many lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that I am so grateful for.

‘Together with everyone who supported me, worked hard with me and encouraged me. THANK YOU.

“Now I’m excited to see how I can push myself in other ways, and for all the things life has in store.”

McKeon made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, claiming one gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay, two bronze medals in the 200m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay, and silver in the 4x100m medley relay.

At the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, McKeon achieved historic success by winning seven medals: four gold medals in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle, 4×100-meter freestyle relay and 4×100-meter medley relay, along with three bronze medals in the 100 meter butterfly, 4×200 meter freestyle relay and mixed medals. 4x100m medley relay.

This achievement tied the record for most medals won by a female athlete at a single Olympic Games.

At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, McKeon added three more medals to her collection: gold in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay, silver in the women’s 4x100m medley relay and bronze as a heat swimmer in the mixed 4x100m medley relay.

Her cumulative Olympic achievements include six gold, two silver and six bronze medals, making her the third most decorated swimmer and seventh most decorated athlete in Olympic history.

Mckeon is saying goodbye to competitive swimming for good after a great career in which she achieved everything there was to achieve

In addition to the Olympics, McKeon was an eight-time world record holder in relay events, with three current and five former records.

She also excelled at the Commonwealth Games, winning 14 gold medals across the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Games.

McKeon and Cody Simpson started dating in April 2022, after meeting while training for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

They publicly confirmed their relationship in July 2022 during a trip to Barcelona.

In April 2023, the couple bought a $1.8 million home together on the Gold Coast.

In April 2024 they celebrated their two-year anniversary.

In August 2024, fans speculated about a possible engagement after the couple attended Myer’s Precious Metal Gala in Melbourne.