When 20-year-old Australian swimming prodigy Kaylee McKeown stood ready to compete in his first Olympics, eagle-eyed fans spotted a tattoo on her leg. The swimmer had permanently inked the words “I’ll always be with you.” on her skin. However, as soon as they had seen it, most fans forgot about its existence thanks to the swimmer’s blistering performance.

The backstroke specialist had everything to lose during the 100m backstroke finals in Tokyo. However, Kaylee McKeown emerged as the gold medal winner as the ripples in the water died down. In the following press conference, an emotional Olympic gold medalist narrated the significance behind her victory.

The touching reason why Kaylee McKeown got inked

After her gold medal-winning performance in the 100m backstroke, journalist Phil Lutton inquired about McKeown’s tattoo. The Olympian was filled with emotion as she explained that the tattoo was a tribute to her late father, Sholto McKeown. The world championship medalist lost his battle with brain cancer in August 2020.

Unfortunately, Sholto McKeown couldn’t witness his daughter achieve Olympic glory as the Tokyo Olympics got delayed due to COVID-19. After his passing, the world record-breaking swimmer added the ink. According to Kaylee McKeown, it was her father’s last words. “I know it’s stupid of me to say, but I can feel his presence,” the Australian star said during the conference.

“There’ve been a few moments where I’ve been like ‘Oh okay, that’s definitely my dad here by my side’.” she added. Sholto McKeown was one of his daughter’s biggest supporters. Not only did he dedicate his life to helping his daughter achieve her goals, he cherished every moment of her success.

Tragically, Kaylee McKeown’s father was diagnosed with grade-four glioblastoma in June 2018. After a two-year-long battle, Sholto McKeown passed away at the age of 53. Since then, Kaylee has thought of her father every time she has raced in the pool.

Keeping her father’s memory alive

Although it’s been nearly four years since her father’s passing, Kaylee McKeown feels overwhelmed every time the memories come rushing back. “My dad was so unbelievably strong and wanted to defy the odds,” the 23-year-old wrote on August 13th, 2020, in a tribute to her father. Her father’s fighting spirit inspired the family as he underwent two brain surgeries and chemotherapy. Even in passing, Sholto McKeown inspired his daughter to persevere, and that’s exactly what she has done.

Every time the swimmer dives in the water for a race, she does so with a fitting spirit inspired by her father. In June 2024, the 23-year-old broke down in tears after making the Australian Paris Olympics team. “I thought I’d be able to hold it together,” said the champion swimmer. Kaylee McKeown “just before the Olympics,” and making it to her second one only immediately reminded me how happy he would’ve been.

Since her success at Tokyo 2020 the 23-year-old has reached new heights and broken world records. So when competes at Paris later this month, Kaylee McKeown would like everyone to know that “With every swim that I do, he’s always there with me.”