- Emma McKeon isn’t quite done with swimming
- Paris was her last Olympic Games, but she can still compete
- The 30-year-old plans to travel and then make her next move.
She is Australia’s most decorated medallist at Olympic level, and now swimming superstar Emma McKeon has confirmed she won’t necessarily be retiring from the sport.
While the 30-year-old won’t be competing in future Games, she won’t be ditching her racing goggles just yet.
Three medals in Paris was the perfect way to end the most important stage, but living a “normal” life can wait in McKeon’s eyes.
“I’m just retiring from the Olympics, it’s going to be my last Olympics and I need to take a break and rejuvenate myself. We’ll see,” she said.
‘We (my partner Cody Simpson) will be traveling a little bit more, we’ll probably take some more vacations in October.
“I’m trying to figure things out, but I’m also going to take a break.”
After completing her swimming programme in Paris, McKeon, a six-time Olympic gold medallist, was informed that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) wanted her to represent Oceania during the closing ceremony at the Stade de France.
The Australian rubbed shoulders with Eliud Kipchoge (Africa), Mijain López (Americas), Sun Yingsha (Asia), Teddy Riner (Europe) and Cindy Ngamba (refugee team).
She is Australia’s most decorated medallist at Olympic level, and now swimming superstar Emma McKeon has confirmed she won’t necessarily be retiring from the sport.
The 30-year-old, who won three medals in Paris, plans to travel with her boyfriend Cody Simpson and then re-evaluate her future in the pool.
Emma McKeon (right) celebrating with her teammates after Australia won the 4x100m freestyle relay at the Paris Olympics
The six athletes were joined on stage by IOC President Thomas Bach and Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet in a moment McKeon called “special”.
“I didn’t expect it at all,” she told 7 News. “I found out, I think it was the day before.”
Anna Meares (Australian head of mission) called me and asked me. It was a great honour.
The six athletes also extinguished the Olympic flame alongside French swimming icon Léon Marchand.
Meanwhile, pop star and Olympic swimmer Cody Simpson shared a heartfelt tribute to McKeon before the A-list couple left Paris.
“Emma, having a seat to watch you compete and complete your Olympic career with such grace and power was a privilege,” she wrote.
‘You inspire me enormously and it’s an honor to be your man!
‘I’m hitting and I know it, so I’m glad you haven’t realized it yet!’