- Cody Simpson says he’s very proud of his co-star Emma McKeon
- McKeon is now Australia’s greatest Olympic champion
- Simpson says McKeon will be very humble about his record
Cody Simpson spoke proudly of his teammate Emma McKeon after she made Australian sporting history on the first day of the Paris Olympics, becoming the country’s most prolific gold medallist.
The 30-year-old’s victory in the 4x100m freestyle relay on his first night in the pool gives McKeon six golds, one ahead of legend Ian Thorpe.
Simpson, who narrowly missed qualifying for the Games, hugged McKeon after the swim.
“We’re all proud of her,” Simpson told Nine.
“She will say it with great humility. She will never say it, but what she has done is very special.
“It’s amazing. He swam very fast this morning. He really wanted to be in the final and get on the podium.
“I’m very proud of her for having achieved this.”
Thorpe was impressed that McKeon was the one who finally managed to surpass his goal.
Cody Simpson says he’s very proud of Emma McKeon after she wrote her name into the history books by becoming the country’s most prolific gold medalist.
McKeon claimed his sixth gold, breaking the record he previously shared with Ian Thorpe.
“It’s great,” he said in the comment.
“It really couldn’t happen to a better person.”
‘She is the most successful swimmer, the most successful Olympian in our country.
“She should be celebrated for who she is and what she has been able to contribute to the sport.”
This is a far cry from 12 years ago, when McKeon was on the verge of being selected for the London Games and considered retiring from the sport.
“If I look back on that young girl (I think I was 17 when I missed London), no one could have told her she was going to do this,” McKeon said.
“It’s a matter of perseverance, there are ups and downs. You have to keep going and achieve your goals. I can’t believe where I am now.”
Simpson said McKeon will be “very humbled” by the impressive landmark.
But for McKeon there is little mystery as to why Australia’s women’s 4×100 freestyle has won the last four Olympic gold medals.
“As the years go by, the level is getting higher and higher. If you look at the history of this event in Australia, everyone wants to participate,” he said.
‘The bar keeps getting higher, that’s probably what makes this team stronger.’
McKeon continues her campaign in Paris on Sunday in the 100-meter butterfly.
He is also likely to compete in the 4x100m medley relay and the 4x100m mixed medley relay.
