Her record five gold medals in a single games was not equalled until 1990, when swimmer Hayley Lewis took five golds in Auckland, and not beaten until Susie O'Neill won six golds in Kuala Lumpur in 1998. Norman remained in Sydney, to begin training for the next Olympics, however her further athletic ambitions were blunted, when the 1940 Olympics were cancelled due to World War II.
Her record five gold medals in a single event were not surpassed until 1990, when swimmer Hayley Lewis achieved the same feat in Auckland, and remained unmatched until Susie O'Neill won six golds in Kuala Lumpur in 1998. Norman stayed in Sydney to prepare for the next Olympics, but her subsequent athletic aspirations were hindered by the cancellation of the 1940 Olympics due to World War II.