Australian swimming superstar Emma McKeon has fallen short of claiming a medal in her very last individual race at an Olympics.
The 30-year-old, backing up after winning gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay a day earlier, finished sixth in the 100m butterfly final won by American Torri Huske ahead of her world record-holding compatriot Gretchen Walsh.
McKeon won bronze in the event in Tokyo but was never truly in contention for a medal in a fast Paris.
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The result ends a stellar solo career that almost never was after a teenage McKeon considered quitting when she did not make the Olympic squad for London 2012.
Speaking poolside, McKeon broke down as the enormity of the moment hit and she had to briefly pause her interview.
“No. I’ve tried not to think about it too much before. Just emotional,” she said on Nine.
“I definitely hoped that that would be better but I know I’ve got a lot to be proud of. I think it’s always emotional finishing something that has brought me so much joy and so many great relationships.
“So many great life lessons and everything like that. I’ve got so many fond memories of swimming.
“Obviously the Olympics are nowhere near done but I just feel so privileged to be here. I feel so lucky.”
McKeon said the process of retiring from the Olympics was helped by watching brother David step back from swimming in recent years.
She also paid tribute to her family.
“I wouldn’t be who I am without them,” McKeon said.
“I’m just so lucky they’ve been with me every step of the way, being there for the highs and lows.”
McKeon bounced back from the London disappointment to reach Rio 2016, where she won 200m freestyle bronze, and came of age at Tokyo three years ago.
She won 50m and 100m freestyle gold to go with her 100m butterfly bronze.
She will now turn her attentions to the women’s and mixed 4x100m medley relays as she bids to add to her Australian-record six gold medals.
“If I look back at that young (person) — I think I was 17 when I missed London — you couldn’t have told her that I was going to go on to do this,” McKeon said after the relay gold.
“It’s just persisting, you have up and you have downs. You just keep going along and you keep ticking the boxes. I can’t believe where I’m at right now.”