Swimmer Emma McKeon, Australia’s most decorated Olympian, announced her retirement from the sport on Monday aged 30.
McKeon won six gold medals, three silver and five bronze over the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Games.
A versatile and tenacious 50, 100 and 200-metre mostly freestyle racer, her career had looked in jeopardy after failing to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic team.
Instead, she went on to become her country’s most honoured Olympian — a field with plenty of competition given Australia’s swimming prowess.
“Today I am officially retiring from competitive swimming,” she said on Instagram, along with a collage of clips showcasing a world record-breaking career.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Australia’s Olympic Committee hailed her as “an integral part of Australian swimming for more than a decade”, saying she “has consistently set the standard for excellence”.
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