Paris Olympics, Day 3 Prelims: As Regan Smith-Kaylee McKeown Showdown Opens, Katharine Berkoff Leads 100 Backstroke
One of the most-anticipated duels of the Olympic Games got underway on Monday morning, with Australian Kaylee McKeown and the United States’ Regan Smith making their Paris debuts at La Defense Arena. McKeown and Smith saw their first action in the 100-meter backstroke, the first of two events – along with the 200 backstroke – where they are expected to battle for gold.
But American Katharine Berkoff supplied a reminder that she plans to be a factor.
Racing in the first of the three seeded heats, Berkoff’s Olympic debut featured a clocking of 57.99, which was good for the fastest time of the morning session. One of five women to ever crack the 58-second barrier, Berkoff has now dipped into that territory on three occasions and looked every bit a contender for the podium. Berkoff is a second generation Olympian for Team USA, joining her father, David Berkoff, who was a four-time medalist for the United States between the 1988 and 1992 Games.
Berkoff left no doubt she was looking to make a prelims statement, as she covered the opening lap of her prelim in 28.14. A North Carolina State product, Berkoff came home in 29.85 to carry momentum into the evening semifinals. Although she is an Olympic rookie, Berkoff has plenty of international experience, highlighted by a bronze medal in the 100 backstroke at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka.
Smith secured the second seed for the semifinals, on the strength of a 58.45 marker in the fifth heat. Meanwhile, McKeown won the fourth heat in 58.48, handing her the third seed. McKeown and Smith own the 15-fastest times in the history of the 100 backstroke and have volleyed the world record back and forth over the past five years. After Smith set a global standard of 57.57 at the 2019 World Championships, McKeown took ownership of the record with a 57.45 clocking in 2021 and lowered the mark to 57.33 in 2023.
Smith regained control of the world record at last month’s United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, where she blistered a time of 57.13 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Combined, McKeown and Smith have produced 34 sub-58 performances. The rest of the world has combined for eight.
Unlike some rivalries, where bitterness defines the relationship between athletes, the McKeown-Smith rivalry is based on respect. The women deeply appreciate what the other has accomplished, and the Aussie and American have even exchanged congratulatory messages over the years. Together, and from opposite hemispheres, McKeown and Smith have elevated their events, and the sport.
Registering the fourth-fastest time of prelims was Canadian Kylie Masse, the reigning Olympic silver medalist and former world-record holder. Smith went 59.06 and was followed by the French tandem of Emma Terebo (59.10) and Beryl Gastaldello (59.31).
