Emma McKeon equals Aussie Olympic legends with 'insane' swim
Emma McKeon has equalled the Australian record for most Olympic medals, winning bronze as part of the 4x100m mixed medley relay on Saturday.
McKeon won her fifth medal of the Tokyo Games and ninth of her career, equalling the Australian record held by Ian Thorpe and Leisel Jones.
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Thorpe won five gold, three silver and a bronze, while Jones claimed three gold, five silver and a bronze.
McKeon swum the anchor leg as Kaylee McKeown, Zac Stubblety-Cook and Matt Temple finished third.
Great Britain broke the world record in the event being held at the Olympics for the first time, with China taking silver.
McKeon now has two gold medals in Tokyo (100m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay) and three bronze (4x100m medley relay, 100m butterfly and 4x100m mixed medley relay).
She won four medals at the Rio Olympics in 2016 - gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay, silver in the 4x200m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay, and bronze in the 200m freestyle.
On Sunday she has the chance to become the first Australian to win 10 Olympic career medals - and the first to win six medals at a single Games.
The 27-year-old is favourite in the 50m freestyle final after setting an Olympic record in the semi-finals to be fastest qualifier for the medal race.
Aussies on cusp of best Olympic campaign in 65 years
The bronze in the mixed medley relay capped another successful day in the pool for Australia after Kaylee McKeown won gold in the 200m backstroke and Ariarne Titmus took silver in the 800m freestyle.
Australia now has seven gold, three silver and eight bronze in the pool in Tokyo, only trailing the United States' eight gold, nine silver and nine bronze.
Australia's seven gold is the most successful swimming campaign at an Olympic Games since Sydney 2000 and puts them on the cusp of the all-time record eight gold won in 1956 in Melbourne.
Another ripping swim from Emma McKeon. Insane. Lifts Australia to bronze in the mixed medley. #Olympics
— Jessica Halloran (@JessiHalloran) July 31, 2021
McKeon is crazy 😮. To swim so well 20 mins after her 50m race. Insane.
— Mark Laz (@marklaz0) July 31, 2021
Emma McKeon a 9-time Olympic medallist - with two races to go. She is an absolute superstar. That relay swim incredible.
— Todd Balym (@balymt) July 31, 2021
Emma McKeon … you absolute superstar! What a way to bring it home. Especially being chased by that big shark Dressel! #Aus #TokyoOlympics #Swimming
— Cameron Bell (@CameronBell) July 31, 2021
@emma_mckeon what an absolute superstar
Stormed home for Bronze there 😍— Daniel O'connell (@SCGodsBeNice) July 31, 2021
On Saturday, McKeown won the 200m backstroke to collect her second gold of the Tokyo Olympics.
Her victory in Saturday's final, where compatriot Emily Seebohm won bronze, follows her 100m backstroke win.
The 20-year-old's triumph gives Australia a 10th gold medal of the Tokyo Games and made her just the seventh woman in history to complete the 100-200 backstroke double.
Seebohm captured a medal at each of her four Olympics, joining Jones and Cate Campbell as the only Australian swimmers to achieve that feat.
"It's pretty unbelievable," she said. "I didn't think I would get this again.
"Just so grateful ... hold it so close to my heart because these teams are the time of my life."
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