Remember the scene when Emma McKeon jumped into the pool after her Olympic achievement? Let’s give you a hint. Her relay mates, Kaylee McKeown, Jenna Strauch, and Mollie O’Callaghan, followed her to the pool in the meantime. It was after the Dolphins claimed the silver medal in the women’s 4x100m medley relay in the Paris Olympics. After this event, Emma appeared in just one event, only in the heats of the 4x100m mixed medley. 

The veteran had to miss the final. Yet the squad threw everything to fill up her vacancy in the lineup. Meanwhile, the team of Kaylee McKeown, Joshua Wong, Matthew Temple, and Mollie O’Callaghan earned the bronze. It was the perfect gift for the Queen of Dolphins. After all, Emma had already announced her Olympic retirement. She left the French capital with every color of the Olympic medal, surpassing Ian Thorpe’s record of having the most Olympic gold won by an Australian swimmer. 

But the swimming fans hardly knew that on August 2, Emma McKeon entered the pool for the last time in her vast professional career. That was the last time she led the Dolphins in the global swimming contest. As per her latest announcement, the 30-year-old will never appear again in the competitive swimming course. 

On November 24, Emma McKeon put a heartfelt post on her Instagram handle. Along with that, she added a snippet to frame her phenomenal career in a nutshell. She ended the video by saying, “Thank you.” The emotion was bound to take a jump after noticing the scenes. But McKeon knows the nerve.

In the caption, the veteran teased further, “Today I am officially retiring from competitive swimming. 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.” With that, she also noted down, “I am proud of myself for giving my swimming career absolutely everything, both physically and mentally.” The words mark to be lessons from the golden book or swimming. Want to know how? 

Emma McKeon’s professional swimming career started in the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics. The baby step was nothing less than golden, as in the girls’ 4x100m medley, she outranked everyone. Surprisingly, in the same contest, she snagged medals in every event she entered. So the signs had always been there. The additional element she needed was patience. Fortunately, in 2012, she could test her intent. 

In the 2012 Olympic trials, Emma had to taste the bitter pill. She was not selected for the London Olympics since she did not place in the freestyle and butterfly events at the trials. Rather, the then-17-year-old placed eighth in the 100m freestyle, one spot shy of qualifying for her first Olympics in the 400m freestyle relay. As a result, she took a vacation from swimming to refuel her motivation and love for the sport. That had been the mental test for her. However, in 2016, Emma McKeon came back with all guns blazing. In the next eight years, she didn’t have to look behind. 

Now, Emma McKeon stands taller than any Australian swimmer in the 120-year-long history of Olympic participation. Her 11 Olympic medals stand testament to her ability, perfection, and grit. Her coaches think in the same way. Additionally, they have justified reasons to call her the ‘greatest ever among the Dolphins’. 

Emma McKeon has certificates from her coaches 

Both Rohan Taylor and Michael Bohl have watched Emma McKeon’s development closely. Being the coaches, they had the responsibility to hone her expertise. But there are a few characters in her that have never needed any sharpening. On that topic, Taylor, the Swimming Australia head coach, had special things to reveal. 

In an interaction, he said, “Emma is a fierce competitor and she pushed herself through so many challenges during her career – the 100m freestyle gold in Tokyo was one of her best performances, but for me what stands out is her commitment to the team.” The coach preferred to give an example. “In Tokyo, she swam 50m free semi and then eight minutes later lined up for the 4x100m mixed medley relay. Emma chose to do that … she said ‘I’ve got this’, she wanted to help the relay team and they won bronze. It was a clutch performance and there was no question of her wanting to save herself for the 50m free final the next day … which of course she won,” Taylor proudly said. Bohl, the longtime coach, had the same lines. 

Michael Bohl watched Emma McKeon in her initial years. But as per the coach, the characters have always been with her. “Hated any fuss, didn’t want any notoriety but she took great pride in representing her country and supporting her teammates,” the satisfied coach explained. Per them, these features have accompanied Emma always to keep her head above the water. What is your take on her achievements and personality? Let us know.