Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon announces retirement from swimming

Australia's most decorated Olympian, Emma McKeon, is hanging up her swimming cap and goggles.

The 30-year-old, who had already announced that Paris 2024 earlier this year was to be her final Olympic Games, has confirmed her retirement from all levels of swimming after a career that brought her 14 Olympic medals including six golds.

"I will definitely miss it," McKeon said in a statement released by Swimming Australia. "It’s brought me a lot of great relationships and shaped me into the person I am.

"But I’m definitely ready for the next part of my life, which I’m excited for. I don’t think I’ve had the time to reflect on everything yet."

McKeon made her Olympic debut at Rio 2016, having missed being selected for London 2012 as a 17-year-old. But she had previously had a taste of Olympic competition when she competed at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games Singapore 2010.

At her first Olympic Games in Rio, she won gold as part of the women's 4x100m freestyle relay team in addition to two other relay silvers and an individual 200m freestyle bronze.

She followed that up with a haul of seven medals, including four golds, at Tokyo 2020 in 2021 – one from every event she competed in – becoming her country's most-decorated Olympian in the process.

The Wollongong, New South Wales, native competed in four events at Paris 2024, winning gold in the women's 4x100m free relay, silver in the women's 4x100m medley relay, and bronze in the mixed 4x100m medley relay. She finished sixth in the women's 100m butterfly final, her last individual Olympic event.

"I want young kids to know that I was once in the same position they are - dreaming of one day doing something big," McKeon 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 times be scary. This is how we push ourselves to achieve our dreams."

The IOC President, Thomas Bach, was among those to pay tribute, saying "All the best to Emma McKeon - an outstanding Olympian, calling it a day on her astonishing Olympic career, with 14 medals, including 6 golds. Wishing you good luck wherever your life takes you next and hoping you remain close to the Olympic Movement.”