McKeown’s solid start in bid for Olympic triple treat
Kaylee McKeown has cruised through the opening race of her audacious bid to become a triple gold medallist in individual events at the Paris Olympics.
But fellow Australian Sam Short has surprisingly failed to reach the men’s 800m freestyle final – he was expected to be among the medal contenders.
McKeown comfortably advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s 100m backstroke with a strong heat swim on Monday morning.
The reigning Olympic champion clocked 58.48 seconds to win her heat at Paris La Defense Arena.
McKeown is the third-quickest into Monday night semi-finals while compatriot Iona Anderson (59.37, ranked seventh) also progressed.
American duo Katherine Berkoff (57.99) and world record holder Regan Smith (58.45) topped times in the heats.
McKeown is seeking to defend her 100-200m backstroke titles from the Tokyo Games three years ago.
The 23-year-old has also added the 200m individual medley to her Paris program as she targets becoming the first Australian to collect three gold medals in individual events at a single Games.
Star paddler and flag bearer Jess Fox is also chasing the same triple-treat in Paris but, if successful, would achieve the feat after McKeown, who will also feature in medley relays at the pool.
In the men’s 800m free, Short’s struggles continued when ranked ninth in the heats in a sluggish time of seven minutes 46.83 seconds.
His Dolphins teammate Elijah Winnington (7:42.86) was fourth-fastest qualifier for the final but admitted he’s a tactical novice over the distance, which he first swam last year.
“I don’t really even know how to swim it,” Winnington said.
“I just kind of go for it and whoever wants to come with me will come with me.”
Winnington’s encouraging display came after he won a silver medal in the 400m freestyle on Saturday.
Short, a pre-race favourite in that event, finished fourth and has declined to speak to media in Paris.
Also Monday, Australia’s Ella Ramsey secured a berth in the women’s 400m individual medley but compatriot Jenna Forrester missed out.
Ramsey (4:39.04) was fifth-quickest through the heats but Forrester (4:40.55) was ranked ninth and is first reserve for the medal race.
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