Paris Olympics: Kaylee McKeown Draws On Her “Superpower” Dad to Unleash Successful Defense of 100m Backstroke Gold
In 2020, the McKeown family lost its biggest fan, a man who they believe continues to shine down on them in times of need and with 20 metres to go in the women’s Olympic 100m backstroke final at the Paris La Defense Arena tonight, his youngest daughter Kaylee, made the call to her dad.
The 20-year-old defending champion from Tokyo speed-dialed in her “Superpower” father Sholto, who lost his battle with brain cancer on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast four years ago.
The call came after a brave first 80 metres from the U.S. pair of world record holder Regan Smith and emerging star Katharine Berkoff, who had taken the unstoppable Aussie head on in a four-way battle for the podium.
In a matter of strokes tonight, the gritty, determined racer that McKeown is, found something, that little bit extra that “Superpower” from above to become only the second woman in history to win back-to-back Olympic 100m backstroke crowns, joining U.S. superstar Natalie Coughlin (2004 and 2008).
“The American girls gave me a red-hot push, but I like to think I have a little ‘super power’ and that’s my Dad and I believe he was with me tonight….” said McKeown, finding the wall first, before unleashing a powerful celebration.
“Dad would be extremely proud…and it’s also great to have my family here, because I know he’s here with us in spirit….”
In a prophetic interview before the Games, McKeown had said: “In Tokyo I was mature enough to put my Dad’s passing to the side…. and I’ve matured so much from that experience…..I have dealt with all the grieving and that kind of stuff…I truly believe…and I don’t care what anybody else says…he is with me all the time….and it’s my super power that nobody else has….
SUPER POWERED TO BACK-TO-BACK GOLD: Kaylee McKeown goes back-to-back in the 100m backstroke (Tokyo 2020/Paris 2024) Photo Courtesy Delly Carr Swimming Australia
“And when I’m dying at the end of a race, it’s like ‘come on Dad’ help me over this last five metres, help me get my hand on the wall….”
And get her hand on the wall she did – Kaylee edging past the US girls and two-time Olympic medallist, Canada’s Kylie Masse who had all turned in front of McKeown, albeit narrowly, at the 50m mark,Masse finishing fourth.
Treating the expectation that goes with being the defending champion, as a privilege, McKeown was within striking distance, using that privilege as something special.
She lifted and edged in front, the US girls and Masse trying to hang on, but McKeown found something that only champions can find, successfully defending her Olympic crown to break her own Olympic record in a time of 57.33 (28.08/29.25)– to equal her personal best.
And joining celebrated Australian Olympians Dawn Fraser (100m freestyle) 1956, 1960, 1964; track athlete Shirley Strickland (80m hurdles) 1952 and 1956) and team mate Ariarne Titmus (400m freestyle) 2020 and 2024, as the fourth Olympian to defend her title.
McKeown now owning eight of the fastest 10 times ever swum.
Tokyo silver medalist Smith, who had broken McKeown’s world record at the U.S. Trials to set up a classic US v Australia duel, again finished with silver in 57.66 (28.02/29.64), left to ponder just what she has to do to finish in front off her elusive rival.
Berkoff, the 23-year-old daughter of Dave Berkoff who won silver in 1988 in Seoul and bronze in 1992 in Barcelona, also in the 100m backstroke, was a touch behind also adding a bronze to the family collection in 57.98 (28.05/29.93).
HEAVY METAL: Kaylee McKeown adds to her Olympic medal collection in the women’s 100m backstroke in Paris. Photo Courtesy Delly Carr Swimming Australia.
McKeown’s win took the overall Australian gold medal tally in the pool to four, joining Ariarne Titmus (400 freestyle), Mollie O’Callaghan (200m freestyle) and the women’s all-conquering 4x100m freestyle relay (O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris) on top of the Paris podium.
And another Olympic coaching success for master coach Michael Bohl, the man who masterminded Stephanie Rice’s triple Olympic gold medal triumph in 2008 and Emma McKeon’s glittering Olympic successes of 12 medals – six of them gold over three Olympic campaigns.
After four days, Australia has now won four gold, three silver and it’s first bronze to the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, the all-Queensland quartet of Max Giuliani (1:45.99), Flynn Southam (1:45.33), Elijah Winnington (1:45.19) and Tommy Neill (1:45.27) finishing third behind defending champions Great Britain and the USA in 7:01.98.
A personal best relay split for Winnington, who had earlier finished a disappointing eighth in the 800 but who wasted no time preparing for the relay final he didn’t make in Tokyo, proudly going home with a silver in the 400m freestyle and now a bronze in the relay.
Saying after his 400 free silver that he had never opened the box containing his 2020 Tokyo relay bronze for his role in then heats, because he didn’t feel worthy – but these two medals will proudly take pride of place on the Winnington mantlepiece, open for all to see.
And a second relay medal for 19-year-old Olympic debutant Southam who was a member of the silver medal winning 4x100m freestyle on night one and a deserved medal for 20-year-old greenhorn Giuliani, who made the move to further his career two years ago moving to the Gold Coast from Hobart in Tasmania.
While the man who had stormed home for bronze with a memorable anchor leg in Tokyo three years ago, Neill, repeating the dose again tonight to add to his Olympic collection too.
BRONZED AUSSIES: Flynn Southam (L) and Elijah Winnington (R) Max Giuliani (C) and Tommy Neill celebrate their bronze in the 4x200m freestyle. Photo Courtesy Delly Carr Swimming Australia.
QUEENSLAND QUARTET: Paris 24 Olympic bronze medallists (L-R): Elijah Winnington, Max Giuliani, Flynn Southam and Tommy Neill Photo Courtesy Delly Carr Swimming Australia