Emma McKeon’s Olympic Games final race: Australian swimming golden girl bids heartbreaking farewell in Paris

Emma McKeon ended her individual Olympic career with a sixth place in the 100m butterfly final in Paris.

The Australian veteran, who won the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay with the team on Saturday, had a slim chance of extending her medal haul at the Paris Aquatics Centre, where she faced a strong field on Sunday.

It was therefore no surprise that McKeon touched the wall in sixth place in a time of 56.93 seconds, while American Torri Huske surprised her world record-holding teammate Gretchen Walsh to take the top prize.

McKeon plans to retire after the Olympics and will compete in the medley relay swimming events next Sunday.

While she is competing in Paris, her boyfriend Cody Simpson is not. The former pop star turned his back on swimming to pursue his dream of representing Australia at the Olympics, but failed to qualify for the Games.

The 27-year-old was full of praise for his girlfriend after she won a gold medal in the relay.

“We’re all proud of her,” Simpson said on Nine.

‘She’ll be so humble about it. She’ll never say it herself, but it’s pretty special what she’s done.

“It’s unreal. She had a scorching swim this morning – she really wanted to be in that final and get on that podium.

“I’m so proud of her for making that happen.”

With her victory on Saturday, McKeon also passed Ian Thorpe’s total of five Olympic gold medals, bringing her total to six.

“It’s amazing,” Thorpe said in his commentary.

‘This couldn’t have happened to anyone better, really.’

‘She is the most successful swimmer and the most successful Olympian in our country.

“She should be praised for who she is, what she has meant to the sport.”