The countdown to the Paris Olympics swings in front of our eyes like an all-powerful pendulum. But before that, U.S. trials are just three days away, commencing on June 15, and Team USA’s Regan Smith will be the cynosure of all eyes. Smith will possibly be giving swift competition to the revered Kaylee McKeown. Her forte lies in the backstroke events and is touted to be one to watch out for. In comparison, if Regan Smith qualifies at the trials and then for Paris, one particularly exciting rivalry will unfold in the women’s backstroke events. Australian Kaylee McKeown and American Regan Smith are likely to battle for gold, pitting the world champion vs the American record holder at a stalemate in the turquoise waters.

Regan Smith currently holds the records for the 100m backstroke and the 200m backstroke, clocking in at 57.51 and 2:05.28. On the hand Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown excels on both Olympic and world stages, setting world records in the 100m backstroke at 57.33 and in the 200m backstroke at 2;03.14. Most recently, Smith broke her record in the 100m backstroke, previously set at 57.57 seconds. It pretty much seems it is a threat to the world champ. Who is going to reign supreme in the turquoise waters?

Who rules the swimming world – Regan Smith or Kaylee McKeown?

During the women’s 4 x 100 relay, at the 2019 FINA World Championships, Regan Smith set a world record in the women’s 100 backstroke with a time of 57.57 seconds. But McKeown broke this record by in 2021 at the Australia Olympic Trials with a time of 57.45 seconds. She didn’t stop there; she went on to achieve another milestone by winning the 100-meter backstroke event, in Budapest, Hungary in 2023 with a time of 57.33 seconds, setting a new record.

McKeown shaved 0.12 seconds off her own world record from 2021, blowing away the field by nearly two seconds. Thus, the difference between their records was 57.57 – 57.33 = 0.24 seconds. This improvement is a plus point for Kaylee McKeown as she surpassed her previous record. But, just like the saying goes, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” Regan Smith embraced this philosophy as well.

Three weeks before the Olympic Trials, Regan Smith set an American record in the 100m backstroke. She achieved this feat at the Speedo Grand Challenge, in Irvine, California with a time of 57.51 seconds. This impressive performance surpassed her previous record of 57.57 seconds by six hundredths. Notably, when she was 17 years old, Smith broke Missy Franklins’ world record while leading off a relay. Therefore, the difference between her time of 57.51 and her previous best of 57.33 is 0.18 seconds.

Smith’s recent achievement of surpassing her record is definitely a development for her as she prepares for the upcoming trials. In the midst of the swimming trials scheduled from June 10 to June 15 in Australia, one can’t wonder about McKeown’s impressive performances in trials and whether she has set any new records there.

Is Smith outshining McKeown ahead of Paris?

In 2024, Regan Smith and Kaylee McKeown really made their mark showcasing their talent at the TYR Pro Series and the NSW State Championships. Smith impressed with times of 57.64 seconds, in the 100m backstroke and 2;03.99, in the 200m backstroke while McKeown displayed her skills with timings of 57.57 seconds and 2;04.21 in the events. But what about trials?

During the Australian trials held in Brisbane, McKeown showcased her dominance in the competition. Leading the pack, from start to finish, thus secured her spot for the Paris Games. Her time of 57.41 seconds was awesome but not ranked as the fastest ever as she fell just short of her own world record by a mere eight-one hundredths of a second. Although McKeown didn’t surpass her record this time, it suggests there is still room for improvement. Meanwhile, Regan Smiths’ consistent performances indicate she is steadily proving her capabilities and improving day by day and is on course to make America proud in Paris by setting new records with each passing day.