ADELAIDE: Kaylee McKeown has opened up about her mental health struggles following the Paris 2024 Olympics, admitting she found herself in "a really dark place." Despite the emotional turmoil, she showcased her competitive spirit on the opening day of the Australian swimming trials, securing a narrow win in the women’s 50-metre backstroke final. Her time of 27.33 seconds met Swimming Australia’s qualification criteria, ensuring her spot at the upcoming world championships in Singapore.
Earlier in the day, McKeown faced a challenging moment when she was initially disqualified from her heat due to an early start. Fortunately, after protesting the decision, it was established that she had been distracted before the starting signal, leading to her reinstatement. This incident highlighted the pressure elite athletes face, but McKeown’s resilience shone through in the final.
In a tight race, she edged out fellow Olympic champion Mollie O’Callaghan, who finished with a time of 27.39 seconds. Reflecting on her earlier disqualification, McKeown commented, "Just simple — I got DQ’d, I got reinstated," before sharing the emotional fallout from her Olympic experience. “Coming off the Olympics, I was in a really dark place mentally," she explained. "It’s a struggle to transition from such a high point to a low one and regain your footing."
This mix of triumph and vulnerability reveals the complexity of an athlete’s journey, as they navigate personal highs and lows while aiming for excellence in sport. McKeown demonstrates the significance of mental resilience in overcoming challenges both in the pool and in life.