McKeon’s dad devastated by swimmer’s Rio ban
A wave of support is building to overturn a ban imposed on Australia's most decorated Rio Olympian, gold medallist Emma McKeon.
And for the swimmer's dad, who is back home in Australia, it's left him devastated for his little girl.
"It's definitely harsh," Ron McKeon told 7 News during a Skype interview.
"And unfortunately she's seen this as her Olympic experience," he lamented.
McKeon's ban has left her father devastated. Pic: Getty
The swimmer is one of two athletes told they can't attend the Olympic Games closing ceremony after breaking team rules; now other Olympians and commentators are calling for Emma to be reinstated.
McKeon won four medals, including gold, making her a strong contender for Closing Ceremony flag bearer.
Now she's banned from being there.
"Everything we put in place is not the fun police, it's not party poopers," Australia Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller insisted.
On Tuesday, Emma partied with other swimmers, staying the night at a friend's place in Copacabana, instead of returning to the Athletes Village which was an hour away.
"My error was not texting my team manager," the gold medallist conceded.
Teammate Josh Palmer, had a much bigger night
Despite Australian athletes being banned from being on Copacabana beach at night, Josh Palmer was at a kiosk drinking until early in the morning where he claims a man forced him to withdraw $1000 in cash.
Josh and Emma have been banned from going out at night, and all their swimming teammates now have a 2am curfew.
Palmer and McKeon have both been banned from the closing ceremony.
"I do not want to have to call a parent that their child has been robbed mugged or anything worse," Chiller said.
But the Chef de Mission has been accused of over-reacting.
Broadcaster Alan Jones said, "She just doesn't understand management and in light of the performance of the team there has to be changes and she should be the first to go."
Former Olympic swimmer Melanie Wright has started a petition - calling for Emma McKeon's Closing Ceremony ban to be overturned.
"When things like this come up you have to find a punishment that fits the crime and I think in this case its just gone way too far," Wright stressed.
