2022 has started with a bang for Australia’s most successful Olympian of all time, Emma McKeon when she was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and announced as Wollongong City Council’s Citizen of the Year.
McKeon was awarded an AM for “significant service to swimming as a gold medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games”.
“It’s pretty amazing, it’s a very prestigious award, people who have done amazing things for the country and achieved very highly, so I’m very honoured to receive this one,” McKeon told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Emma McKeon AM was also announced as Wollongong’s 2022 Citizen of the Year are her inspiring results at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.
“I am absolutely delighted that Emma has received this honour on behalf of her hometown,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said. “There is no doubt she is a sporting phenomenon but she is so humble about her accomplishments. Her grace and sportsmanship embody the characteristics of someone we all look up to as a leader.’’
“I’m a very proud Wollongong person, and Wollongong has a very special place in my heart, and I will always call it home,” McKeon said during the online Australia Day award ceremony.
During the Award Ceremony the Illawarra Academy of Sport was announced as joint recipient of the Lord Mayor’s Award for our contribution to the athletes of the region.
