After going out hard and being instrumental in setting up Australia’s silver medal winning performance in the 200 metre freestyle relay final Emma McKeon now has medals in all three colours.
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Just before adding silver to he gold and bronze medals parents Susie and Ron McKeon spoke of how proud they are of both Emma and David for they way they have tried so hard this week.
Speaking to the Illawarra Mercury from the Olympic aquatic centre on Thursday they said David and Emma were both aware of all the well wishes and support coming from Wollongong.
Susie said it has certainly helped them both.
“We want to thank everyone very much. It is absolutely amazing to have them both achieve their dreams. David is a dual Olympian now. Very few people make the Olympics and very few make finals. They have worked really hard...from London to now. And moving up to Brisbane and ticking all the boxes improving their strength and so on. They haven’t left any stone unturned,” Susie said.
The McKeons said it has been an emotional week with more nervous moments to come. “Since that first night when David was in the final of the 400m and then Emma qualified second fastest for the 100 fly..and then the gold in the relay, it was just amazing. We were all well a truly on a high. But we came crashing down to earth the next day when David swam his 200 the next morning and was bitterly disappointed with his performance. Then Emma swam her final of the 100 fly that next night and she was also extremely disappointed with her performance,” she said.
But Ron and Susie are proud of the way they have both picked themselves up and tried so hard since. And they know how much Wollongong is willing them both on. They have both seen the newspaper articles on the web following the relay gold on Monday and then Wednesday’s story about the excitement Ron’s brother Mike McKeon and Emma’s friend Dominique Tobin were feeling in Crown Street Mall on Wednesday when Emma won bronze during the 200 metre freestyle final.
From their own swimming backgrounds representing their nation Susie and Ron know how hard it is and how much work is required over many years to reach a level that even puts you in the running for selection for an international meet. They admire their children’s commitment and determination to follow their dreams and do the best they can.
They also know competing at the highest level comes expectation and pressure from various places. Susie said there had been some big highs and lows this week and the support coming from back home was definitely helping Emma and David. She said it had not been possible yet for her and Ron to get to spend much time with their children. But as soon as the swimming program is over they are looking forward to spending time together as a family and are all looking forward to having a little holiday and coming home to Wollongong.
Congratulations, all of you so proud, go Australia Jayne Townsend, Mount Warrigal 2528
Well done Emma Wollongong is proud of you Joy garbutt, Fairy Meadow
Congrats Emma and the girls on an awesome swim. Very very proud of your achievement. John Ravnjak, Cordeaux Heights
Well done girls. Great win. Congratulations to all four of you o winning gold for Australia Morgan, Lake Illawarra
Congratulations Emma The Anastas Family, Kanahooka
So exciting, well done to the team Amanda, Corrimal
Congratulatioms Frances, Dapto
Fantastic congratulations Leanne Wright, Balgownie 2519
Congratulations! Julie Ramsay, Albion Park Rail
So proud of you and your team, congratulations on the win 🎉😃 Carolina Marin, Corrimal
Good onya Emma. You deserved this as did the team Lyndall, Lake Illawarra
I taught you at TIGS when you were á young girl. Fantastic to see you win today! Gina Cahill, Figtree
Congratulations Emma McKeon on your gold medal win in 4 x 100 in women swimming. It was amazing and thrilling to see your whole team win with great difference and also create a New World Record of 3:30:65 time win. Congratulations again. VIJAY KUMARD, MACLEOD VICTORIA
Emma your a true, Champion Bessie Kallinikos, Farmborough Heights
Congratulations Emma....so proud of you. Xxx Anne Seibright, Oak Flats
Conratulation fantastic swim Donna, Coledale
Well done and congrats Dawn, Manyana
Congratulations Emma & team mates. All the very best for your races to come Trish Whant, Corrimal
Go Emma gold is priceless well done Vanessa, Mount Pritchard
Congratulations Emma! Al Trejo, Dapto
Congratulation on your win in the relay. Kay Boreham, Huskisson NSW
Congratulations!! Tim Buckley, Fairy Meadow
Awesome stuff Girls.."Aussie Aussie Aussie"😎👍 Danielle, Wollongong
Congratulations Emma so proud Denise, SHOALHAVEN HEADS
i am proud of the Australian swimming women’s team for winning gold good luck for more gold Emma. Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi Ellee Habak, Wollongong
Great job Emma!! Congratulations!! Morrisey, Unanderra
What a fantastic swim Emma and team! Kim Holz, Albion Park
Dear Emma congratulations you've shined the whole of Wollongong with your proud gold medal. You've shined the Gong with your gold, congratulations and well done Alibenjamin Bazzi, Wollongong
Good job girls Sharon, Merimbula
Well done , all the best Noelene, Gulgong
Congratulations on winning a gold medal Bella, Mangerton
You've made us all so proud Emma. Goosebumps and tears in the Brikich household. Well done on an awesome swim! Brikich Family, Coledale
CONGRATULATIONS on winning gold for Australia Krystal Cockerell, Lake Illawarra
Big congrats Ema☺🎇watchinh you in Croatia Jagoda, Wollongong
Hi Emma! You don't know me personally but you know my brother Ian Wilson. I watched you this morning and the race was amazing you all did a great job. We are all rallying for you girls and wishing you loads of Congratulations. Well done! Just enjoy every moment. Lesley Wilson, Goulburn
I used to swim in a lane alongside your squad at the Uni Pool. I take some of the credit for your swimming success ... because I swam so slowly, it must have inspired you to try and increase the number of times that you could lap me in 50m! :) So happy to see you win - actually a bit emotional, as I daily witnessed the effort you put into each training session. All the best with the rest of the Games! B. Horan, Figtree
Congratulations Shulei Chou, Wollongong
Congratulations Ros Hinkley 2527
You are totally awesome and It is amazing to see your hard work pay off in such a spectacular way! Keep aiming for the stars! Timothy John, Cordeaux Heights
Fantastic Emma you a true champion, proud day to be an Australian woman xx Eron coleiro, Airlie beach
Go the mermaid from the Gong Zoi Illawarra
Congratulations Emma and team mates. The Gong is very proud of all of you. Esin Ozturk Wollongong
go gong/ oi oi oi Fred, woonona
Congratulations Emma you really are a star love Sienna. Sienna Leslie. Fairymeadow
Amazing way to start your Olympic campaign dream. Big Julie pfeiffer, Albion Park Rail
Emma McKeon TIGS Class of 2012 winning an Olympic Gold Medal in Rio as part of the women's relay swim team. We are so proud of you Emma- congratulations from all at TIGS TIGS, WOLLONGONG
Awesome swim Emma Penny Moore, Bulli
Congratulations Emma, you make us proud(Wollongong) Mary Stone, West Wollongong
Good Job! Human, Greensborough
Well done Emma Ben Neville, Eden
Just watched your race hold your head high beautiful girl you are the true meaning of a champion. You should be so proud Greig Turnbull, Fairy Meadow
congrats kiandra, vic
Don't let the 100Fly get you down Emma. You are brilliant swimmer. Keep going please. We after poring for you ALL THE WAY. Doll Ashenden, Mermaid Waters
Congratulations on winning a gold. You’re a superstar with many years to come. Ji latini, Wollongong
Well done Emma. Beverly, MT PLEASANT
Well done Emma on your gold in relay and making 100 fly finals, my son has trained with you at Ulladulla and today watched your race on ipad at school, keep up the great work. Julie, Batemans Bay
Congratulations Emma Khalilah Zipparo, Port Kembla
Well done Emma 👍 Ailani Zipparo, Port Kembla
We are so proud of you here from Wollongong Jo Martlew, Lake Heights
I would like to thank you for all your hard work you have done to get to Olympics to represent all of us in Australia. Kelly Patterson, Mango Hill Queensland
Well done Emma, Wollongong and Australia is very proud of you in your first Olympics. Elly Shoalhaven
Great job Emma! Very proud! Diane Woonona
Well done Emma! All those early morning starts have paid off! Caz Jervis Mt Kembla
Congrats i know im late but congrats sarahie (
Emma you made me so proud this morning when you swam and came 3rd Place it's 1st as far as I'm concerned, You kicked butt You Champion!!!May God bless you forever🙏🙏🙏 Madlen Harb Concord West
good job emma stade
You are the biggest inspiration to me. Ever since I started watching the olympics I've wanted to swim like you. I hope that one day I can qualify for swimming in the olympics, too! Xx Liron 3161