Emma McKeon

Fast Facts

• Date of Birth: 24/05/1994
• Birthplace: Wollongong, NSW
• Nickname: Em
• Sporting Idol: Naomi Osaka
• Favourite Quote: “those who have a why can bear almost any how’”
• Biggest challenge: Moving out of home and away from family.

At just 22 years old, Emma McKeon was Australia’s most successful Olympian from the 2016 Games winning a total of 4 Medals. In Tokyo, at age 27 she became Australia’s most successful Olympian IN HISTORY winning another seven Medals, four of which were Gold.

Being raised from former Olympic athletes – her mother Susie, father Ron and Uncle Rob – Emma has had her eyes on success from a young age. She was born and raised in Wollongong, NSW, and has grown up alongside older brother and Olympic swimmer, David McKeon.

2010 saw Emma’s international breakthrough as she dominated the World stage across three major Championships: Junior Pan Pacific Championships, Youth Olympics and World Short Course Championships.  

After narrowly missing out on selection in the 2012 London Olympics, McKeon took some time away from swimming to reassess her place in the sport. However soon after, Emma returned to her dominance and claimed silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay in the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona.

Roll on a decade, Emma is now the most decorated athlete in Australian Olympic history having won 4 medals in Rio and earning herself a place in history as the GOAT in Tokyo by winning double Gold in the 50m and 100 m Freestyle, a Bronze in the 100 m Butterfly and another four Relay Medals. With the hunger still burning inside, Emma has her eyes set on adding to her Olympic Medal collection in Paris.

Outside of the pool, Emma McKeon has recently been named Young Australian of the Year, a testament to how she is so highly respected across all of Australia in the public eye.