Pool queen Emma McKeon reveals why she broke down after winning another gold at World Championships

Australia’s pool queen Emma McKeon has revealed why she was so emotional after winning the women’s 100m freestyle final at the World Short Course Championships in Melbourne on Thursday night.

The five-time Olympic gold medallist was elated to have her grandparents in the crowd, declaring it was ‘just so special to have them here’.

‘It means a lot,’ McKeon said when chatting post race with fellow swimming superstar Ariarne Titmus on Nine’s coverage.

‘I actually spotted them for the first time during the presentation and I was crying a little bit, so I just had to look away.

‘They haven’t watched me race for probably four years now in person.

With her grandparents watching on, McKeon had to dig deep in the final, touching the wall fractionally ahead of Hong Kong’s Siobhan Bernadette Haughey 

‘So, to have this event on in their home town, they were my motivation.

‘They’re my No.1 supporters and always have been, so I wanted to make sure I could do a good job for them.’

McKeon had to call on all her experience in the 100m final, touching the wall ahead of Hong Kong’s Siobhan Bernadette Haughey by just 0.10 of a second.

The 28-year-old based on the Gold Coast stopped the clock at 50.77 to break the championship record.

McKeon – who also dates pop star turned Aussie swimmer Cody Simpson – went onto pay tribute to the capacity crowd at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

‘A packed stand, it’s a dream come true really, for us athletes to be able to race in front of a home crowd with a full stand,’ McKeon said.

McKeon’s boyfriend – pop star turned swimmer Cody Simpson – was spotted cheering on the five-time Olympic gold medallist poolside 

Kyle Chalmers also had fans salivating on Thursday night, snaring two gold medals in the 100m freestyle and 4x50m freestyle relay

‘Obviously it’s me in the pool doing the laps when I’m racing, but I’ve got a huge team behind me.

‘My family’s part of that, my coach (Michael Bohl) is part of that and I’m so lucky to have them with me all the time.’

Kyle Chalmers also had fans on their feet on Thursday night, snaring two gold medals.

‘King Kyle’ won the 100m freestyle in a sizzling championship record time of 45.16 before being a key figure as the anchor in the triumphant men’s 4x50m freestyle relay team.

The FINA World Swimming Championships conclude on Sunday.