Ian Thorpe hails new Australian Olympic GOAT Emma McKeon: ‘It couldn’t have happened to a better person’

Swimming legend Ian Thorpe has backed 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 the first night in the pool gives McKeon six golds, one ahead of Ian Thorpe.

“Wow. I don’t usually keep track of things like that. You guys tell me about it. It’s an honour, really,” he told Nine after the race.

Thorpe was delighted that McKeon was the one who finally surpassed his goal.

“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.”

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.