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Moscow Olympians Honored Decades Later
Decades after thier participation, members of the 1980 Moscow Olympic team, including Ron McKeon, are set to receive formal recognition in Australia.
Emma McKeon, a celebrated Olympian herself, noted the stark contrast between her own Olympic experiences and her father Ron’s. “We’ve always felt the support of our country when we go away to compete at a World Championships or an Olympics,so I honestly couldn’t imagine it,” she stated,highlighting the different circumstances surrounding her father’s Olympic journey.
Ron McKeon, who competed in the 1980 Moscow Games, intentionally shielded his children-Emma, David, and Kaitlin-from the more challenging aspects of his olympic experience. When questioned about this approach, Ron explained his motivation: “If you had a dream of one day doing it, it was all about the positive piece of it all and the excitement of representing your country and being an Olympian,” he told A Current Affair. He added, “It wasn’t [about] what was probably seen as a bit of a blight on sport back in the 80s.”
the formal acknowledgment will take place on August 30 at parliament House in Canberra, following advocacy efforts by former athletes Michelle Ford, Peter Hadfield, and Max Metzker. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will led the ceremony, welcoming Ron McKeon and his
