It’s a sad day to be an Australian right now. As if the country’s cricket misfortune wasn’t bad enough, another iconic sportsperson from the nation has now come forward to make it even worse. After years of bagging medals in the swimming pool, Australia’s most decorated Olympian of all time Emma McKeon has announced retirement. Naturally, her fans and colleagues can’t help but feel the blues.

With 14 Olympic medals, six of them gold, to her name, McKeon evokes a sense of reverence in her home country that’s matched by only a few. In the 2024 Paris Olympics too, the 30-year-old hauled three medals (one of them gold) to prove her elite skills once again. With her now deciding to hang up her maillot for good, those who’ve worked with and admired the swimming sensation are hoping for McKeon a good life ahead.

Emma McKeon breaks hearts around the world

On November 24, the freestyle swimming specialist announced her decision to retire from swimming via an update on Instagram. “Leading into Paris, I knew it would be my last Olympics, and the months since have given me time to reflect on my journey,” she wrote on her social media update, underscoring that this wasn’t an impulse decision. Accompanying the post is a video clip, highlighting McKeon’s swimming journey and how from humble beginnings, she became one of the world’s best stars of the sport.

“I am proud of myself for giving my swimming career absolutely everything, both physically and mentally,” Emma McKeon wrote further, recalling how the goal to fulfill the dream she conceived at 5 years old has dictated the next two-and-a-half decades of her life. Thanking everyone who was part of that journey, her brooding caption went on: “ I have so many lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that I am so thankful for“. But fret not, this doesn’t mean McKeon will now turn to a quaint and peaceful life away from all the action.

Instead, she noted, “Now I am excited to see how I can push myself in other ways, and for all the things that life has in store“. Talk about a true legend mentality! However, the announcement does come as a sentimental moment for swimming connoisseurs. For all the electrifying moments she has given her fans over the years, even her national teammates are finding it hard to not feel sad.

Fans take a moment to salute the star on her exit

“You are a great ambassador for all sports Emma…It’s a privilege to have watched your great success,” said one fan to Emma McKeon. Winning six medals at the 201 Summer Youth Olympics, McKeon had put the swimming world on attention as a teenager. Since then, she has built herself a trophy cabinet and a reputation that would be a hard rival for some time even in the future. It’s only natural her long-time fans would miss seeing her in the pool.

For her teammate, and 4x Olympic Olympic champ Ariarne Titmus too, it’s a bittersweet feeling. Working together, and learning tricks of the trade from Emma, Titmus knows just how incredible of an athlete the former is. “So proud of you Em ❤️❤️ you’re a legend in and out of the pool forever,” she hailed the Wollongong native. “Congratulations on an incredible career!” also commented the official Olympics IG handle, highlighting that McKeon’s fans aren’t only from Australia.

Another fan also seems to have nothing but good memories of the Australian star. Commenting, “So proud of everything you have achieved,” the fan noted that McKeon’s eight world records were well deserved. But her fans definitely wish only good times ahead for the freshly-retired swimmer, as another said, “Can’t wait to see what’s next.” What about you? Do you have any thoughts on what life has in store for Emma? Tell us more!