Kaylee McKeown will head to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, seeking to emulate her sister Taylor's gold medal feats. On the back of winning the 50, 100 and 200m backstroke at the Trials Meet, McKeown is primed for a strong performance.
What's at stake?
McKeown's goal is to win the first backstroke treble at the Commonwealth Games, a feat that would cement her status as a swimming sensation. She finished third in the 50m backstroke at the 2020 Games in Birmingham.
Her journey so far
McKeown made her senior international debut at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, competing in front of a home crowd as a 16-year-old. She reached the finals in two events, narrowly missing the podium, finishing fourth in both the 100m backstroke and 200m backstroke.
The road to Glasgow
McKeown was joined by fellow Australian team members, including Sam Short, Lani Pallister, Zac Stubblety-Cook, and Elijah Winnington, on Sydney Harbour for the unveiling of the official Speedo swimsuits for the Games. Graham Eyres, President of Pentland Brands Asia Pacific, said Speedo was honoured to be the swimwear supplier of choice for the Australian Commonwealth Games team.
The competition ahead
McKeown will face stiff competition in Glasgow, including Kyle Masse and teammate Mollie O'Callaghan, who finished ahead of her in the 50m backstroke at the 2020 Games. But with her recent wins at the Trials Meet, McKeown is confident of her chances.
McKeown's sister Taylor won the women's 200m breaststroke at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and Kaylee is determined to follow in her footsteps. With the support of Speedo, who have stuck by her since she was 13 years old, McKeown is ready to take on the best in Glasgow.
The Australian team is looking strong, with Sam Short matching the feats of Grant Hackett, Justin Lemberg, and John Konrads with his four freestyle wins over 200, 400, 800 and 1500m at the Trials Meet. Lani Pallister also won the 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle events, making her a gold medal contender in Glasgow.
McKeown's experience and recent form make her a strong contender for the backstroke treble in Glasgow. With the Commonwealth Games just around the corner, McKeown is focused on making it a memorable event.
The Speedo swimsuits, featuring the Fastskin 2.0 Intent and Valor race suits in green, are engineered for every type of competitive swimmer. McKeown and her teammates will be wearing these suits as they compete in Glasgow, seeking to bring home gold for Australia.
McKeown's determination and hard work have paid off so far, and she is ready to take on the challenge of the Commonwealth Games. With her sights set on winning the backstroke treble, McKeown is sure to make a splash in Glasgow.