McKeown flirts with world record despite ‘so much pain’ after illness
Kaylee McKeown sent a warning to her Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Games rivals at the Australian swimming trials, going close to the 200m backstroke world record despite a bout of illness.
McKeown hit the wall in the Australian swimming trials final at 2:03:98 to qualify for Glasgow after sitting on the world record line with 15 metres to go. The Queenslander currently holds that record at 2:03.14, which she set in 2023.
Kaylee McKeown and Hannah Fredericks after competing in the women's 200m backstroke final. Getty
“Another sublime performance by the best we’ve ever seen,” caller Mat Thompson said on Nine.
Ariane Titmus added: “Any time under 2:04 that is a classy swim ... I’m so impressed by how fearless she was.”
Iona Anderson and Hannah Fredericks both finished ahead of the qualifying time too, making for a fast swim at Sydney Olympic Park.
McKeown came into the trials with a horrible preparation after battling illness, which she started feeling towards the end of her swim.
“Tonight I wanted to go out and see what I could come back with,” she told Nine’s Ellie Cole.
“Unfortunately, that last 50 I was in so much pain, I closed my eyes and saw the 15m rope. I thought ‘no, I’m so far’, but that’s a season best for me, so I’m proud.”
McKeown added she would have liked to swim “a little bit better”, prompting Cole to ask if that meant the world record.
“Look I haven’t PB’d for three and a half years, so I’m waiting for it,” she replied with a smile.
Thursday’s night of swimming also included Kyle Chalmers, who qualified for the Commonwealth Games in the 100m freestyle.
Chalmers was flawless in Sydney, finishing with a time of 47.56 to blitz the rest of the pack.