The Australian Kaylee McKeown, Olympic champion in Tokyo in the 200m backstroke, showed that she was in great shape with a view to keeping her title this summer in Paris by achieving, on Friday, the second best world performance of the year.
The one who caused a sensation in 2021 by becoming triple Olympic champion (100, 200 m backstroke and women’s relay) swam in 2 min 04 sec 21/100th during the New South Wales championships in Sydney, the ninth fastest time quick story. McKeown, also the reigning double world champion in the distance, is only beaten this year by her American rival Regan Smith.
It was at this same championship in 2023 that McKeown set the current world record in the 200m backstroke in 2:03.14, beating Smith’s previous mark. McKeown, who also holds the 50m and 100m records, is the first woman to hold the fastest times in all three backstroke disciplines.