Emma McKeon
Australia’s Most Accomplished Olympian and Global Swimming Icon
Emma McKeon AM is Australia’s most successful Olympians, having achieved unparalleled success in competitive swimming. Her journey from a passionate young swimmer to a global icon began from an early age and has since become legendary in the world of sports, inspiring a whole generation of fans around the world.
Emma’s early career was marked by numerous successes at the 2010 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, Youth Olympics, and World Short Course Championships, where she won a range of gold, silver, and bronze medals. Her breakthrough came at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, where she showcased her remarkable talent by winning four golds and two bronzes, impressing the nation with six medals from six races.
The 2016 Rio Olympics were a pivotal moment for Emma. Competing alongside her brother David, she set a new world record in the 4x100m freestyle relay, earning gold in the event. Additionally, she won two silver medals with her relay team, and claimed her first individual Olympic medal with a bronze in the 200m freestyle, making her Australia's most successful Olympian at the Rio Games.
Emma's success continued at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the 2019 World Championships, and the inaugural International Swimming League. Her return to the Olympics in 2020 was historic. At the Tokyo Games, she became the first female swimmer and the second woman in history to win seven medals in a single Olympics, including four golds and three bronzes. Her victories included the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, and relay events, and she set Olympic records in the 100m and 50m freestyle, as well as contributing to the World Record in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
In 2024, Emma competed at the Paris Olympics, where she added another gold medal to her impressive tally in the women's 4x100-metre freestyle relay event, bringing her career total to 12 Olympic medals. This achievement not only solidified her status as Australia's most decorated Olympian but also surpassed Ian Thorpe's record for the most gold medals won by an Australian swimmer. Her Olympic career includes a total of six gold medals, three silver medals, and three bronze medals, demonstrating her extraordinary consistency and dominance in the sport.
Beyond the Olympics, Emma holds eight world records in relay events, and has won 20 medals, including 14 golds, at the Commonwealth Games. She also excelled at the 2021 FINA Swimming World Cup, where she earned a record 14 medals, including ten golds and four silvers.
Emma’s impact extends far beyond her athletic achievements. She has been a brand ambassador for Speedo from a young age and is also associated with major global brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola, and IWC. As a committed advocate for global health, Emma also recently completed a Bachelor of Public Health and is an active supporter of UNICEF.
Her contributions to both sports and society have been widely recognised. In 2022, she was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia, and in 2023, she was named Gold Coast Young Australian of the Year. Most recently, she received recognition as the 2024 Young Australian of the Year, once again displaying her remarkable impact and dedication.
Currently residing on the Gold Coast, Emma trains at Griffith University under the guidance of her long-time coach Michael Bohl. Her career continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide, solidifying her place as one of the greatest swimmers of all time and a true Australian icon.