Meet Emma McKeon: Cody Simpson’s girlfriend is a superstar swimmer and Australia’s most decorated Olympian who worked hard to win her medals – and she can thank her career for her relationship too

Oct 3 , 2024

Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson attend an Omega event in Paris, in August. Photo: @emmamckeon/Instagram

McKeon and Simpson grew close in 2022 as they trained for the Commonwealth Games; while Simpson failed to make the cut for Team Australia for this years’ Olympics, McKeon competed in her 3rd Games

On December 12, 2020, Cody Simpson – then 22 and known globally as a singer and actor, revealed a secret on Instagram: he had restarted his training as a swimmer, had just qualified for his first Olympic trials, and would be dedicating the next four years to pursuing his dream of Olympic glory.

Emma McKeon attends an event in August with her boyfriend Cody Simpson. Photo: @emmamckeon/Instagram

Despite training hard, Simpson didn’t make the Australian Olympic swimming team for this summer’s Games – but his girlfriend, Emma McKeon, secured her place on the team for the third time. Despite struggling at the 2024 Paris Games, McKeon remains Australia’s most decorated Olympian.

Emma McKeon poses by a diving platform. Photo: @emmamckeon/Instagram

Following her performance in Paris, Simpson took to Instagram to praise his girlfriend. “Emma, to have had a seat to watch you compete and complete your Olympic career with such grace and power was a privilege,” Simpson posted. “You inspire me immensely and it’s an honour to be your man!”

So, who is Emma McKeon, Australia’s most successful Olympic athlete?

Emma McKeon grew up in a family of competitive swimmers

A childhood photo of Emma McKeon at the 12 Apostles in Victoria, Australia. Photo: @emmamckeon/Instagram

Born in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, on May 24, 1994, McKeon comes from a family rooted in swimming. Her father, Ron McKeon, competed in two Olympic Games and won four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, while her mother, Susie, also competed in the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Her uncle and brother also competed in two Olympics each, with her uncle securing bronze in Los Angeles and her brother winning Silver in Rio de Janeiro.

Growing up, McKeon was constantly around the beach and the pool, as her parents operated a swimming school in Wollongong.

Despite her early achievements though – winning one gold, one silver, and two bronzes at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics at just 15 years old – her path was not without challenges.

She faced several setbacks along the way

Emma McKeon in the pool in June 2023 while training for the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Photo: @emmamckeon/Instagram