Sport
7 August, 2024
Backstroke queen defends gold in Paris
Caboolture superstar Kaylee McKeown created history last week as she defended her Tokyo success with gold in the 100m and 200m backstroke at the Paris Olympics.
Kaylee became the first person in the history of the Games to defend the titles in a stunning meet, which included a 4 x 100m medley relay silver and two bronze medals for the 200m medley and 4x100m mixed medley.
The Redcliffe-born 23-year-old, now has nine medals across two Games, including five golds, calling these Olympics a “rollercoaster” on Instagram.
Her 200m medley final has created controversy, with some claiming she was robbed of a silver medal, following speculation about an illegal turn of second placer, Kate Douglass.
Despite fan protests, Kaylee told News Corp she’s just “kind of got a cop on the chin”.
With experts split on whether she should be considered ‘most valuable player’ for the Dolphins, she now holds the record for most gold medals in individual events of any Australian Olympian.
“On Day 7 I hit a milestone in my career becoming the first woman to ever win the 100/200 backstroke - back to back - at an Olympic Games,” Kaylee told her Instagram followers.
“Moments like these will never be forgotten! Especially alongside the people who push me everyday - these ladies are fierce competitors but even nicer, down to earth people.”
Kaylee wrote adding the 200m to her Olympics program was a risk, but she can “gladly say no regrets”.
“Its been a wild time with seven races in three days, but nothing beats stepping out with my fellow Aussies for a relay,” she wrote.
Kaylee holds the world record for the 200m backstroke, set in 2023, and last week set a new Olympic record of 2:03.73. Congrats on your medals and making history Kaylee!
