Australian Emma McKeon makes history with her 12th Olympic swimming medal

PARIS 2024 SUMMER OLYMPICS

Emma McKeon made history tonight by representing Australia at her third Olympic Games.

The 30-year-old Griffith University star featured in her country’s women’s 4x100m freestyle relay in tonight’s final, clocking 52.39 on the third leg as Australia claimed gold in a new Olympic record time of 3:28.92.

The relay propelled McKeon to a remarkable 12 Olympic medals, with tonight’s gold adding to her previous five from the 2020 Games in Tokyo and the 2016 Games in Rio.

Coming to Paris, McKeon’s previous record of 11 medals made her the most successful Australian Olympian, however her sixth gold here in Paris now surpasses Ian Thorpe as the swimmer from the country with the most gold medals.

Additionally, McKeon now ties the Americans. Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin as the swimmers with the most medals in history.

Commenting on her achievement, the modest McKeon said: Channel 9“Wow. I don’t usually keep track of that kind of thing. You guys tell me. It’s an honor, really.” (Fox Sports)

McKeon will have further opportunities to add to her haul, contesting the women’s 100m butterfly final tomorrow night, plus the women’s medley relay later in the week.