Winning an individual gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

It's a journey that was extended by 12 months, but the Illawarra star would not be thrown off track.

On Friday five years of hard work came to fruition, the 27-year-old winning the 100 metres freestyle final.

For father Ron McKeon, a two-time Olympian himself, his daughter's determination has been a sight to behold.

"It had become her dream, her quiet obsession," McKeon said. "She knew in her heart of hearts, that's what she wanted. She was never overt talking about it, but it was what she wanted.

"Last year we could see something building off the back of 2019, and when it was postponed we could see her building again.

"This extra 12 months gave her more time. For a lot of athletes it's given them another year and for Emma it was a great advantage."

McKeon's journey to gold stretches back beyond the Rio Olympics and to her earliest years.

The daughter of two Australian representatives, Emma and older brother David grew up around water.

That's what happens when your parents run a swim school.

But never in a million years did Ron think Emma would go on to win the biggest race on the Olympic program.

"That was not part of any of our thinking whatsoever. You just want beautiful kids and we have beautiful kids.

"They all find their way in life, some just decide to do something a little bit different. Certainly winning a gold medal is quite different."

Emma and David spent their teenage years training alongside fellow Olympian Jarrod Poort, the trio emerging through the ranks to each compete at two Games.

Coached by Ron, they knew only absolute commitment would be enough to achieve their Olympic dream and they were there to support each other throughout the highs and the lows.

"Swimming here in Wollongong has been massive for our careers," David said. "Training here at the McKeon Swim School with Jarrod, all three of us becoming two-time Olympians and now a gold medal for Emma.

"Back in those early days there were early mornings with dad, the three of us going up and down, it's definitely worth it now."

Making her achievement more remarkable is the fact McKeon almost gave the sport away in 2012.

A trip to London to watch David and Jarrod compete at the 2012 Olympics lit a fire in the belly and she credited that period for setting the platform for Friday's landmark victory.

"From a young age I loved swimming and racing, and as I grew I started to put some more pressure on myself, and lost my enjoyment for it pretty quickly," Emma said.

"That is why I stopped, and wondered whether I wanted to keep going.

"I think those are all things we have to go through as teenagers coming through swimming, and that is what got me to be where I am today and allowed me to keep enjoying it."