'It's really cool she gave it to me': Kaylee McKeown melts hearts by giving mascot to young fan
Kaylee McKeown continues to win hearts and minds of swim fans everywhere.
After winning gold in the 100m backstroke, McKeown gave young Aussie student Imogen Bakoss a stuffed boxing kangaroo after the medal presentation.
McKeown was walking back from the podium when she made a beeline for young Imogen who she spotted in the crowd.
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Speaking to Nine's Roz Kelly later on, Imogen said McKeown was her favourite swimmer.
"Kaylee was walking around and she saw me, came over and gave me this kangaroo," Imogen said.
"When I think of an Australian swimmer, I think of her. It's really cool she gave it to me."
Kaylee McKeown gave Imogen Bakoss a boxing kangaroo mascot after her 100m backstroke gold. Nine
Imogen said she had been loving the kindness of the Parisians, and was sure her friends at school on Wednesday morning would be jealous of her travels.
"All the people, the surroundings, Paris, all the amazing French people and how kind they are," she said.
The boxing kangaroo will no doubt become one of her most treasured memories from Paris, especially given the context of McKeown's gold.
It was her third individual Olympic gold, putting her in elite company group of Aussie Olympians to win three, including Betty Cuthbert, Murray Rose, Shane Gould, Ian Thorpe and Ariarne Titmus
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"It feels pretty cool," McKeown said.
"No words can really put into [perspective] how I'm feeling about it.
"It's great to be a part of history, and hopefully [it] keeps that momentum going for the rest of the week for the Australians."
McKeown would become the first Aussie to win four individual gold if she defends her 200m backstroke gold she won in Tokyo. Heats for that event begin on Thursday night (AEST).
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