Paris Olympics, Day 3 Semifinals: Regan Smith and Kaylee McKeown Set Up Title Duel in 100 Backstroke; Katharine Berkoff Lurking
The much-anticipated duel between the United States’ Regan Smith and Australian Kaylee McKeown for Olympic gold has officially been scheduled, but another American plans to play a significant role in the outcome.
Racing in separate semifinals at the Paris Games on Monday night, Smith and McKeown were separated by just .02 as they nailed down the top-two seeds for the next day’s final. Smith checked in with a time of 57.97 while McKeown was right behind in 57.99 to set up what should be a classic final. Three years ago in Tokyo, McKeown landed the gold medal, with Smith finishing behind Canadian Kylie Masse for the bronze medal.
Although Smith and McKeown will undoubtedly lead the chase for the Olympic crown, Katharine Berkoff will also be in the mix. The runnerup to Smith at the United States Olympic Trials, Berkoff was the top qualifier out of the morning prelims, thanks to a swim of 57.99. She was slightly off that pace during the semifinals, going 58.27, but her presence has been established.
Smith and McKeown have combined for the 15-fastest times in the history of the 100 backstroke and of the 44 sub-58 performances of all-time, 36 belong to the longtime rivals. Yet, the relationship between the American and Aussie is highly respectful, the exchange of congratulatory notes part of that regard.
McKeown’s upstart countrywoman, Iona Anderson, advanced to the final as the fourth seed. Anderson was timed in 58.63, with Masse the final athlete to record a swim under 59 seconds. Masse went 58.82 and was followed into the final by Canada’s Ingrid Wilm (59.10) and the French duo of Beryl Gastaldello (59.29) and Emma Terebo (59.50).
