Illawarra Academy of Sport alumni and Australia’s greatest Olympian Emma McKeon has announced her retirement from competitive swimming.
McKeon enjoyed an incredible career and won 14 Olympic medals: six golds, three silvers and five bronze, making her Australia’s most decorated Olympian in history.
The 30-year-old took to social media to announce her retirement and said she had spent time reflecting on her career post-Paris Olympics.
“Today I am officially retiring from competitive swimming,” McKeon wrote on social media.
“Leading into Paris, I knew it would be my last Olympics, and the months since have given me time to reflect on my journey, and think about what I wanted my future to look like in swimming.
“I am proud of myself for giving my swimming career absolutely everything, both physically and mentally.
“I wanted to see what I was capable of – and I did.
“Swimming has given me so much. From the dream igniting at 5 years old, right through to my third Olympic games- I have so many lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that I am so thankful for. Along with every person who supported me, worked hard with me, and cheered me on. THANKYOU.
“Now I am excited to see how I can push myself in other ways, and for all the things that life has in store.”
Born and raised in Wollongong, McKeon comes from a rich swimming pedigree. Her father Ron swam at the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games and won four Commonwealth Games gold medals. Her mother Susie was a Commonwealth Games swimmer and her brother, Rob Woodhouse, swam at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games, winning bronze in Los Angeles. Her brother David is a dual Olympian and won silver in Rio in 2016.
McKeon was part of the Illawarra Academy of Sport Swim Squad in her teen years, graduating in 2010 and winning the DRB Group Tobin Family Award for IAS Athlete of the Year.
After narrowly missing selection for the London 2012 Olympic Games, McKeon made her Olympic debut at Rio in 2016, winning gold with the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team and claiming four medals overall.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, McKeon became Australia’s most decorated Olympian in history ahead of Ian Thorpe after she won gold in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay events. In total, she won seven medals in Tokyo.
McKeon ended her incredible Olympic career with three medals in Paris earlier this year – gold in the women’s 4x100m relay, silver in the women’s 4x100m medley relay and a bronze in the mixed 4x100m medley.
In a statement released by Swimming Australia, McKeon said she wants to pass on her knowledge and inspire the next generation of young swimmers.
“I want young kids to know that I was once in the same position they are – dreaming of one day doing something big,” she said.
“And I want to have an impact on people’s lives by encouraging them to push hard and go after their dreams and what they are passionate about. Don’t be afraid to take on hard things and set aspirational goals, that may at time be scary. This is how we push ourselves to achieve our dreams.”
Illawarra Academy of Sport CEO Salv Carmusciano passed on his congratulations to McKeon on a fantastic career and said she is an inspiration to young athletes across the Illawarra.
“Emma McKeon is a champion swimmer and a role model for all the young, talented emerging athletes at the Illawarra Academy of Sport,” Carmusciano said.
“The Illawarra Academy of Sport are so proud of Emma and we congratulate her on all the success she has had.”
