The Australian team has started drawing breath on another powerful performance in the pool, backing up their Tokyo haul by finishing second on the medal tally behind the USA with seven gold, eight silver and three bronze medals.

Kaylee McKeown (twice), Ariarne Titmus, Mollie O’Callaghan and Cam McEvoy were the individual gold medallists, with the women’s Relays (100m, 200m Freestyle) contributing the remainder.

They knew they had just been in the midst of a week of Olympic swimming like no other, with La Défense Arena rocking from the moment the athletes walked out for the opening heat and electrified by the performance of French superstar Leon Marchand, who won four gold medals.

Emma signed off in style with silver in the Women’s Medley Relay before leaping in the pool in her tracksuit after the medal ceremony. She said she hadn’t had much time to reflect on a career that yielded 14 medals - making her our most-decorated Olympian - but the time was right to start the next phase of her life.

“I definitely will miss it. It’s brought me a lot of great relationships and shaped me into the person I am,” Emma said.

“I will miss the training and the racing and so many things but I’m definitely ready for the next part of my life, which I’m excited for. I don’t think I’ve had the time to reflect on everything yet.”

But while one mainstay will depart, others have vowed to power towards the next Games after taking substantial breaks, which will be supported by Swimming Australia. It continues a trend in swimming that is seeing older athletes performing for longer and still being at the top of their game.

Cam was the oldest Australian to ever win a swimming gold at the age of 30, while Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom completed the 50m-100m Freestyle double also aged 30. Frenchman Florent Manaudou was another to fire at 33, taking bronze in the 50m Freestyle.

It’s encouraged swimmers like Kyle, now 26, to cast their eyes forward and try to remain at the top of the sprinting ranks for another Olympic cycle, while Cam has even hinted at trying to swim at a home Games in Brisbane in 2032.

“I’m only 26 and hoping to continue on. My mind is very strong, it’s just how long my body can keep up for. But I think I will continue to swim as long as I possibly can,” Kyle said.

“I love coming to competitions like this and seeing my mates from all over the world. Hopefully I have a few more years ahead of me.”

Dolphins head coach Rohan Taylor said he was fully committed to supporting athletes if they wanted to take an extended break from the pool to recharge and reset for the next cycle. Ariarne and Kaylee are among the Australians expected to take long breaks from training and racing.

“There’s a lot of support there to allow the athletes time to take a break and come back. We’ve seen examples of athletes taking time off and coming back and building back into peak performance. They are starting to realise they can extend their careers and I hope it continues,” Rohan said.

“We are starting to see athletes performing extremely well at an older age. When I was swimming, I finished around 21 and thought that was old. Now the system is there to support it and I hope that will continue to happen.

“Talent doesn’t go away. Cam is an example. He went on a bit of a journey, we kept in touch and I said whatever we need to do to support you, we will. As long as I’m in the role I’m committed to that and we are committed to that as a sport.”

Rohan said the close-knit nature of the Dolphins helped them rise above a wave of COVID that swept through their ranks and enabled them to support the athletes who weren’t able to perform up to their expectations in Paris.

“I think it’s been a really challenging one, we chose to come to Europe early, six weeks before the Olympics. I’m just proud - proud of the team, proud of the way we supported each other. 

“We delivered performances and those who maybe didn’t achieve what they wanted, they were supported by the team. That’s what we’re all about and I’m very privileged to be part of the leadership.”

The athletes will go their separate ways in coming days as they vacate the Village. Some are taking a well-earned holiday while others like Emma will remain in Paris or close to the city to return for the Closing Ceremony.

Phil Lutton