ADELAIDE: The opening day of the Australian swimming trials saw Kaylee McKeown facing a surprising setback in the women’s 50m backstroke heats, as she was disqualified. Known for her extraordinary talent, McKeown clinched gold in this event at the 2023 World Championships held in Japan and currently holds the world record for the one-lap race.
Her disqualification, reportedly due to a false start, puts her participation in the upcoming World Championships in Singapore—scheduled from July 28 to August 3—in jeopardy. The five-time Olympic gold medallist immediately lodged a protest against the decision, with the outcome still pending.
McKeown’s status as one of Australia’s leading swimmers makes the incident particularly noteworthy, and further developments regarding her appeal will be closely monitored.