Emma McKeon, Australian swimmer and Olympic legend with 14 medals, announces her retirement at age 30.
Australian swimmer Emma McKeon, multiple Olympic medalist, has announced her retirement from sport at age 30. “Today I officially retire from competition”she said on Instagram. With six gold, three silver and five bronze medals at the Games in Rio, Tokyo and Paris, McKeon made swimming history, notably becoming the second woman to win seven medals in a single edition, after Mariya Gorokhovskaya in 1952.
Before Paris, where she won silver in the 4x100m medley relay, McKeon had decided that these Games would be her last. “I am proud of myself for giving everything for my swimming career”she said. Coming from a family of swimmers, she followed in the footsteps of her parents, Ron and Susie, as well as her brother David, with whom she shared two Games.
Rohan Taylor, coach of the Australian team, praised his role as a role model, while Swimming Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee praised his lasting impact on the sport. “The standards she set, in and out of the water, will remain unmatched”concluded Rob Woodhouse, McKeon’s uncle and head of Swimming Australia.
