Paris Olympics 2024: Kaylee McKeown completes historic backstroke double-double for Australia
Kaylee McKeown has completed backstroke’s double-double to cap off a dominant Olympics where she stamped herself among Australian swimming royalty.
McKeown, now one the country’s finest-ever Olympians, has won both the 100m and 200m backstroke in two consecutive Games.
The Queenslander made a fantastic start and led Smith to the wall, but trailed both Kylie Masse and her close American rival after the first 100.
Masse faded heavily in the back half, paving the way for a race between McKeown, Smith and the world record line.
She touched the wall for gold just minutes after Cameron McEvoy did the same in the men’s 50m freestyle in a frenetic swimming double that catapults Australia back to second on the overall medal tally with 10 golds.
McKeown snatched an Olympic record that had stood for 12 years.
She won the 100m backstroke earlier this week and has now joined teammate Mollie O’Callaghan in matching Ian Thorpe’s record of five gold medals.
Both are now in touching distance of Emma McKeon’s record six golds.
For McKeown, that could still come in the women’s 200m individual medley. She made her way through to the semifinal on Friday night (AWST) and will likely compete in the final on Sunday morning.
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