Kaylee McKeown Pulls Out Of World Cup: “Putting My Mental Health First”
Kaylee McKeown has pulled out of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2024, in order to put her “mental health first”.
The Australian made the announcement on social media hours after winning the 50 back in an Oceania record of 25.36 on the first day of the 2024 series in Shanghai.
McKeown posted: “I would like to thank World Aquatics for the opportunity to come out and race at World Cups, it’s been so much fun here in Shanghai🤘🏽
“Putting my mental health first I’ve decided to cut my experience short. As an athlete It’s so important to listen to your heart and to know when enough is enough.
“Time for a well overdue break. Peace and love to you all ✌🏽❤️”
McKeown, who won the 100/200 backstroke double at Paris 2024 among five medals, won over two lengths in China in the third-fastest time in history ahead of Regan Smith (25,70) and Ingrid Wilm (26.08).
However, while she said it had been “fun,” there was a hint that maybe all was not well in her post-race interview when she said:
“I am just excited to race…..because racing and stuff like that is not something I am enjoying as I usually did.
“Coming off the Olympics, you go from such a high to such a low. I am struggling to find the motivation to push myself.
“I’ve been doing this for such a long time and I really just need to take some time away from the pool. After the World Cup events, I will go home to enjoy myself outside of swimming.”
Among those responding to the four-time world record-holder was Tokyo 100 fly champion and 50 back s/c world record-holder and Maggie MacNeil who said: “Proud of you stud for putting yourself first ☺️” World Aquatics said: “Take some rest and enjoy your time off 🙌 See you next year stronger than ever 💪😊”
McKeown was named on the Australian squad for the World Short-Course Championships in Budapest in December before withdrawing four days later,
Australia teammate Mollie O’Callaghan, winner of the 200 free in Paris, said: Congrats on an amazing season! We’re all so proud of you🤍 Now it’s time to enjoy some well-deserved rest 💤”
The 23-year-old lowered the 100 back short-course WR to 54.56 last month at the Australian Championships, slicing 0.33 from Minna Atherton’s standard of 54.89 that had stood since 2019.
That followed her exploits in the French capital where double backstroke gold was accompanied by silver in the medley relay plus bronze in the 200IM and mixed medley relay to bring her Olympic medal haul to nine across two Games.