By Tom Decent
Australia backstroke star Kaylee McKeown’s world title hopes may be over after she was disqualified in the heats of her 50m event.
In a major shock on the first day of the Australian swimming trials in Adelaide on Monday, McKeown was disqualified after finishing the first heat of the women’s 50m backstroke event.
Kaylee McKeown. Credit: AP
McKeown, who is the world record holder in the event and won a world title in 2023 in Japan, was shattered as she left the pool at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
The two-time Olympian was consoled by a Swimming Australia staff member and chose not to speak to media as she was ushered away.
It is understood McKeown was disqualified due to an issue relating to her start.
McKeown’s team have put in a formal appeal. If that is unsuccessful, there is a chance she will be unable to swim the event at the upcoming world championships in Singapore, starting later next month.
It would be a major blow to Australia if McKeown was rubbed out of an event she would be favoured to win.
McKeown was one of Australia’s stars of the Paris Olympics last year, winning two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.
It is not the first time McKeown has been disqualified at a major swimming meet. At the 2023 world championships in Japan, McKeown was disqualified for an illegal turn in a semi-final of her 200m individual medley event.
There is still a way that McKeown could swim the 50m backstroke event at the world championships.
Australia can take two swimmers in the 50m backstroke event, with the final being contested on Monday night. McKeown’s only hope would be if two swimmers don’t go under the Swimming Australia qualifying time of 27.74 seconds.
In Monday’s heats, Mollie O’Callaghan went under that time (27.72) but Hannah Fredericks (28.21) was slightly slower, despite recording a personal best.
If only one swimmer went under the qualifying time in the 50m backstroke and McKeown qualified through another event, like the 100m or 200m backstroke, team officials could slot her into the 50m backstroke event at the world championships.
