She can't be given the keys to the city - she already got those after the Rio Games.

McKeon's seven medals at Tokyo are the most won at a single Games by any Australian athlete. Combined with the four she won at Rio, she has become the country's most successful Olympian.

Read more: Let's honour our Olympic champion in bronze

She is also the first Australian to win four gold medals at the one Games and sits alongside only Ian Thorpe with five career gold medals.

No wonder Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery is keen to see the city honour the Olympian.

In a Lord Mayoral minute passed by Wollongong City Council on Monday night, Cr Bradbery wanted to find some suitable way to honour McKeon.

These options could include "the naming of a venue or location in the city and/or an update of the Olympic Wall of Honour in Lang Park".

The general manager has until October to find suitable options, and the community will also be asked to provide suggestions on how the city can pay tribute to McKeon.

Her father Ron McKeon said a statue might a bit much for the quiet, shy swimmer, but there were other options.

"If the notion was about a statue or anything like that she would be horrified," her father laughed, "but I think certainly a pool or something named after her - it would certainly grow on her over the years."

The motion acknowledged "the outstanding achievements and prowess of Emma McKeon in swimming at the Tokyo Olympics and in international competition".

"The City of Wollongong acknowledges Emma's preeminent place in Olympic history and congratulates her accordingly on becoming one of Australia's greatest swimmers," the motion stated.

The motion also left the door open for some sort of public parade or event, stating council "create an opportunity for Wollongong residents to acknowledge local athletes".

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