Emma McKeon, Siobhan Haughey, Penny Oleksiak Join ‘Country’s Most Decorated Olympian’ Group

Jul 30, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Emma McKeon (AUS) and Siobhan Bernadette Haughey (HKG) finish first and second in the women's 100m freestyle final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Emma McKeon and Siobhan Haughey. Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports

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Emma McKeon put together the most dominant performance at the Tokyo Olympics, claiming seven medals, the most ever by a female swimmer in one Games.

When you add her performance in Rio, McKeon is now the most decorated Olympian in Australian history. She was one of three swimmers to join that list for their country in Tokyo.

McKeon has 11 medals in her Olympic career, including five gold, two silver and four bronze. That overtakes the previous Australian record of nine set by Ian Thorpe, and overtook Dawn Fraser (eight) as the most decorated female Olympian from Australia.

Now, McKeon is the most decorated in any sport or gender in Australian history.

Jul 28, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Penny Oleksiak (CAN) walks out of the pool after the women's 100m freestyle heats during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports

Penny Oleksiak. Photo Courtesy: Grace Hollars/USA Today Sports

She was one of three swimmers to become their countries most decorated Olympian in history during the Tokyo games.

Penny Oleksiak won three medals in Tokyo to total seven for her career, which is now the most in Canadian history.

Meanwhile, Siobhan Haughey became the first swimmer from Hong Kong to ever medal at the Olympics with a silver in the 200 free. But then she won silver in the 100 free as well and she is the only athlete in Hong Kong history to medal twice at the Olympic Games. Hong Kong has won five medals in Tokyo so far, after only winning three medals in previous Olympic history.

Jul 28, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Siobhan Bernadette Haughey (HKG) with her silver medal during the medals ceremony for the women's 200m freestyle during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Siobhan Haughey. Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher

It is a pretty select group worldwide with just 12 members of this club coming from the pool out of 135 countries who have medaled at the Olympics (going into Tokyo).

Nine more countries have swimmers or divers as their most decorated — joining McKeon, Haughey and Oleksiak — including South Africa’s Chad le Clos with four. One more from Tatjana Schoenmaker would tie her for most decorated female in South Africa, and two more will tie le Clos.

Of course, the U.S. has Michael Phelps as its most decorated Olympian with a record 28 medals and record 23 gold medals. The top females in the U.S. are Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres, who each won 12 in their careers.

Katie Ledecky and Allison Schmitt each brought their total to 10 medals with their performances in Tokyo.

Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry has seven total medals to lead her country, while current Florida coach Anthony Nesty has two for Suriname.

Here is a breakdown of swimmers and divers as the most decorated Olympians in their country’s history:

Aug 1, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Emma McKeon (AUS) with her gold medal during the medals ceremony for the women's 50m freestyle during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Emma McKeon. Photo Courtesy: USA Today Sports

Most Decorated Olympians From Their Country

Michael Phelps, USA — 28
Emma McKeon, Australia — 11
Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe — 7
Penny Oleksiak, Canada — 7
Wu Minxia, China — 7 (Diving)
Yana Kochkova, Ukraine — 5
Chad le Clos, South Africa — 4
Michelle Smith, Ireland — 4
Claudia Poll, Costa Rica — 3
Anthony Nesty, Suriname — 2
Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong — 2
Joseph Schooling, Singapore — 1

Most Decorated Female Olympians From Their Country

Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres, USA — 12
Emma McKeon, Australia — 11
Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe — 7
Penny Oleksiak, Canada — 7
Wu Minxia, China — 7 (diving)
Yana Kochkova, Ukraine — 5
Michelle Smith, Ireland — 4
Mireia Belmonte, Spain — 4
Claudia Poll, Costa Rica — 3
Penelope Heyns, South Africa — 3
Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong — 2
Pendelela Ringong, Malaysia — 2 (Diving)

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