'Wish I could give you more information': Kaylee McKeown coy on unconventional format for Aus v The World
Updated . First published at
Australian swimming superstar Kaylee McKeown does not know what to expect from the unconventional nature of the Australia vs The World at Brisbane's The Valley Pool on Friday night.
In one night of high-intensity racing, the Australian Dolphins take on the world's best across traditional distance events and never-before-seen race formats.
With 'skins' elimination races, mystery relays and rule changes, the full format is being kept under wraps by competition organisers.
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Speaking to Nine's Today, McKeown remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of the unusual competition format.
Australia's top swimmers will hit the pool in Brisbane, taking on the world. Nine
"I wish I could give you a little bit more information, but all that I know is it's not the normal racing that you would typically see at a world championships or an Olympics.
"There'll be a few 25m sprints. For me and a few other form strokers, there'll be three 50m, and it's a bit of a skins event, so it's a knockout each round.
"It's basically like a little bit of training and racing going on at the same time."
Last month, McKeown was awarded Swimming Australia's Olympic program Swimmer of the Year for the second year in a row.
Watch the Aus vs. The World meet live and free on Nine and 9Now.
The award recognised McKeown's year that included defending her 100m and 200m backstroke world titles at the World Championships in Singapore, and twice breaking the 200m backstroke short course world record during the World Cup Series in October.
"It's been a very chaotic year," McKeown said.
"I was actually looking to kind of chill out this year and it's been the complete opposite.
"But I love throwing myself at these competitions, and I think this is so new, and it's a new initiative to kind of get people in before [Brisbane] 2032 to see what swimming's like and see some new faces in the swimming arena."
After a few big years, McKeown reflected on how fulfilling her dreams has been such a meaningful experience.
"It's so surreal to be able to reach your dreams and your goals and aspirations," she said.
"Standing on the podium in Paris is something that I'll forever remember.
"It's a special moment as well, compared to Tokyo, where I didn't have my family in the grandstands. So, I think that was honestly the highlight of the past year in Paris, as well as just seeing my family and knowing that they finally get to see me fulfil my dreams live and in the action.
McKeown will feature in the backstroke-focused events on Friday night.
Catch all the swimming action live from 7:30pm AEDT on Nine and 9Now.