Kaylee McKeown, the first woman and second swimmer ever to secure the backstroke double-double, Moesha Johnson, who made the 10km podium within strokes of her training partner in Germany, champion Sharon Van Rouwendaal, and Tim Hodge, with two golds and a silver in the Paralympic pool, took the top gongs at today’s Swimming Australia Awards at Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane.

Dean Boxall took coach of the year for his work with Olympic champions Ariarne Titmus (400m free) and Mollie O'Callaghan (200m free) as well as others who played a part in relay successes for the Dolphins.

McKeown, who became the first woman and second athlete ever after East Germany's Roland Matthes (1968-72) to retain both the 100 and 200m backstroke titles, claimed the top prize of the night as Swimmer of the Year Award.

W100 back: McKeown Goes Back-to-Back, Double-Double In Sight

″ I knew it was going to come down to the last five meters. We’re both extremely good athletes, and both extremely good trainers, so it’s just who feels better on the day, and she pushed me the whole way through.” - Kaylee McKeown on Regan Smith

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

W200 Back: McKeown Matches Egerszegi & Joins Matthes In Back-To-Back Double-Double Club

McKeown’s four golds elevate her to the pantheon of international legends. Asked if she’s ever imagine achieving that, she said: “Not in a million years. Growing up, I’ve always just idolised you know, my sister and Emily Seebohm, training alongside Emma McKeon .. and being friends with Mollie

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Australia’s Closing Ceremony flagbearer, McKeown, coached by Michael Bohl, penned a whole raft off pioneering lines in swimming and Olympic history in Paris: as the first Australian to win four individual Olympic gold medals (multiple Games), she surpassed Ian Thorpe, Dawn Fraser, Emma McKeon and the one Australian swimmer ever to have claimed three solo golds at one Games, the legendary Shane Gould, who claimed three victories in world-record times (200, 400m free, 200m medley) and remains the only woman ever to have claimed five solo medals at one Olympics, with silver ion the 800m free and bronze in the 100m free at the 1972 Olympics. Gould held all freestyle world records, 100 to 1500m, simultaneously.

Short comment: Shane Gould, along with Murray Rose, was not mentioned in the Swimming Australia release on the Awards, nor was Gould invited to join any commentary team or be involved in any way with the Australian campaign for Paris 2024, as far as I can see. It's bewildering, to be honest - and a mention from Swimming Australia would be the very least one might expect to see in honour of national treasures. Gould, who's achievements remain unique, seems to have been overlooked, even forgotten, one might say. Hopefully, it's not because she set a standard that blocks the trite Olympic-mindset mantra of 'best ever'. In some regards, she was, and remains so. Australia should remember to celebrate that.