Emma McKeon becomes most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time with 11 gold

Australian swimming superstar Emma McKeon has secured her place in the record books after claiming her 11th gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games on Monday, August 1.

Following her incredible win in the 50m freestyle at a time of 23.99 seconds, McKeon has now surpassed Australian swimmers such as Susie O’Neill, Ian Thorpe and Leisel Jones who each have 10 gold medals.

“It’s really nice to be mentioned alongside some of those names and I will be part of that history for years to come, hopefully,” McKeon told 7 News.

“They’re the ones who inspired me when I was young. I remember watching them on TV and that lit the fire in me to be where I am now.”

McKeon’s win in the 50m freestyle follows recent victories in the mixed 4×100 freestyle relay and women’s 4×100 freestyle relay in Birmingham. The 28-year-old also secured four gold medals at the 2018 Gold Coast Games and another four at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

“It is special. It makes me reflect on the last eight years since my first Commonwealth Games. I can see how far I’ve come as a person and an athlete,” she said.

History was made by Emma McKeon in the 50m freestyle.

Her win made it 11 Commonwealth gold medals, the most by any athlete in the history of the Games.https://t.co/4InwI4jLQk pic.twitter.com/v0S0HyagOI

— 7Sport (@7Sport) July 31, 2022

McKeon wasn’t the only Australian sporting star breaking records in the pool after the Aussie 4x200m freestyle relay smashed the world record. The team made up of Madi Wilson, Mollie O’Callaghan, Kiah Melverton and Ariarne Titmus set a time of 7:39.29, 12 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Canada.

“I’m really happy to be able to perform for the girls,” Titmus told 7 News following the record-breaking performance.

“I mean, in the past couple of relays I have done I feel like I haven’t really performed my role as well as would have liked.

“I was disappointed last year at the Olympics, so I’m glad that I could do my job for the team.”

These champions have just smashed the world record in the 4 x200m freestyle!! #CommonwealthGames2022 pic.twitter.com/s0q3IeOy1N

— Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) July 31, 2022

Following the blockbuster performance from McKeon and the Australian 4×200 freestyle relay team, the Australian public were quick to share their praise for the swimming superstars.

Emma McKeon ???????????? ???? queen of the commonwealth!!

— Katie (@_katmii) July 31, 2022

Absolutely fantastic – a true Australian champion.
Australia’s most decorated Olympian is now the queen of the Commonwealth Games.

Emma McKeon captured the 11th gold medal in her Commonwealth Games career to eclipse the mark set by Susie O’Neill, Ian Thorpe and Leisel Jones. pic.twitter.com/jbG9GVugWs

— Critical-thinking (@Critica01625647) July 31, 2022

Emma McKeon is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).
11th Commonwealth Games gold medal, is there anything she can’t do #commonwealthgames

— Kellie Jane (@kelliejane) July 31, 2022

Must say it has been a privilege to be poolside in #Birmingham for the first time at the @thecgf to see the @DolphinsAUS set a new world mark in the women’s 4*200 metre freestyle relay and Emma #McKeon become the most successful athlete in Games history with an 11th gold medal.

— Courtney Walsh (@walshcee) July 31, 2022