Emma McKeon: Australia’s most decorated Olympic announces retirement from swimming

Australia’s most decorated Olympian, swimmer Emma McKeon, has retired from the sport

The 30-year-old won six gold medals in a haul of 14 won across three Olympic Games.

“I am officially retiring from competitive swimming,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Leading into Paris, I knew it would be my last Olympics, 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.

“I wanted to see what I was capable of – and I did.”

McKeon won three relay medals and individual bronze in the 200m freestyle at her first Games in Rio 2016.

She then won four golds among a seven-medal haul at Tokyo 2020. Her 11 medals at that point meant she surpassed an Australian record of nine medals won by both Ian Thorpe and Leisel Jones.

McKeon added a further three Olympic medals to her tally at the Paris 2024 Games.

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

“She always carried herself with dignity, and while we all saw her grace – the public can not truly appreciate how tough she is,” Australia’s swimming coach Rohan Taylor said.