Australia's greatest ever Olympian, Wollongong's Emma McKeon has now received another accolade: the new North Wollongong Beach promenade has been named in her honour.
Emma, who has returned home to the Illawarra after her gold, silver and bronze medals at the Paris Olympic Games, attended the official opening ceremony of the Emma McKeon AM Promenade on Friday.
“I feel so very lucky to have grown up in Wollongong and been part of a community that is so supportive,” Emma said during the ceremony.
“It seems quite surreal to think that this beautiful promenade will carry my name and I just hope that it inspires others to follow their dreams.”
The promenade is part of Wollongong’s Blue Mile, with the seawall in front of it serving as a buffer for the North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club.
Public demand for Wollongong City Council to name the promenade after Emma grew following the Tokyo Olympics, during which she won seven medals in total (including four golds), which was the highest medal tally ever for a female swimmer at a single Olympic Games.
“Watching Emma race, and then her extraordinary humbleness at her success, inspired everyone and saw the community call for Council to do something to recognise her accomplishments,” said Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM.
North Wollongong Beach is a special place for Emma, so the decision was easy.
“I love coming down here, going for walks along here, getting coffee, taking the dog for a walk,” Emma said.
“It’ll be a bit surreal when I do come down here for my next walk.”
At her Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, Emma won her first gold medal, in the 4x100 metre freestyle.
At the Covid-delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Emma desired an individual podium, which she captured in the 100-metre freestyle.
Emma spoke of “that intense pressure, and then the pressure of having the Olympics delayed".
“Just to pull it off, I’m very proud of that,” she said.
Emma has competed against some of the world’s best swimmers, including Australian greats such as Bronte Barratt, with whom she won silver in the 4x200m relay at Rio. She credits these elite athletes with pushing her to greatness.
“Across my career, we have had people really raise the bar and that has set the bar for me to chase.”
Emma announced her Olympic retirement as the Paris Games wound down, but she'll continue her involvement in competitive swimming.
“It’s been a huge journey,” Emma said.
“I’ve always looked at what can I improve on, what the next thing is.
“I think it’s important to take that step back and reflect, actually learn to be proud of what you've done without thinking about what more I can get out of myself.”
