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.
An Australian swimmer set a record by winning five consecutive gold medals at a single event, which stood until 1990 when Hayley Lewis achieved it in Auckland. However, this record remained unbroken until Susie O'Neill broke it with six golds in Kuala Lumpur in 1998. At the same time, Norman stayed in Sydney to prepare for the next Olympics but her future athletic aspirations were put on hold due to World War II.