The Paris Olympics might be over, but the swimming fever is stronger than ever. So, it’s perfect that the first leg of the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup took place in Shanghai today. Out of a strong lineup of Olympians, Kaylee McKeown made a splash in the pool by contesting in the 50m backstroke and the 100m IM. While she snagged the top spot in the former, the swimmer settled for a third-place finish.

By the end of Day 1, she had racked up approximately 35.1 points and was among the top 6 women athletes. With 2 more stops to go, fans were excited to see if she would shatter any more records in the World Cup. However, with the Aussie’s recent update, their hopes have crashed and burned. After wrapping up the first leg, the Olympian pulled back the curtains on her mindset in an Instagram post. “I would like to thank World Aquatics for the opportunity to come out and race at the World Cups, it’s been so much fun here in Shanghai 🤘🏽,” she stated.

But it looks like this is all the time we had with her. Kaylee McKeown continued, “Putting my mental health first I’ve decided to cut my experience short. As an athlete It’s so important to listen to your heart and to know when enough is enough. Time for a well overdue break. Peace and love to you all ✌🏽❤️” As disheartening as it is, we understand how important a break is. It was surely a good run while it lasted.

How did the swimmer fare in the World Cup? The 23-year-old stepped into the pool as the reigning World Cup Champion and first locked horns with her rival Regan Smith. Keeping the lead throughout, she touched the wall in 25.36 seconds, shattering the former World Cup record of 25.81 seconds by Kira Toussaint. Smith trailed behind her in a lifetime best of 25.70 seconds, putting both of them under the sub-26 seconds category. 

But she couldn’t replicate the same results in the 100m IM. This time, she was up against Kate Douglass. She had equaled the American record a day earlier in the prelims. And during the finals,  she gave Yu Yiting a tough fight. The American touched the wall in an incredible 56.66 seconds. She also racked up the only sub-14 freestyle split. Unfortunately, Kaylee McKeown had to settle for a third-place finish, just like the Paris Olympics, with a time of 57.76. However, this isn’t the only time the swimmer decided to step back for her mental health.

Kaylee McKeown shares another alarming update with the swimming community

Breaking world records is almost second nature for Kaylee McKeown. She even shattered the short course world record with 54.56 seconds at the 2024 Australian Short Course Championships in the 100m backstroke event. However, after a stellar stint, she decided to gracefully bow out from contention to look after her mental and physical health.

“It’s not something I wanted to but needed to do,” the Olympian stated on her social media. One of her most difficult challenges has been battling with self-doubt throughout her stellar career. The 23-year-old has previously opened up about how she often struggles with confidence, “I’ve been training the best I ever have, you kind of get those little doubts that creep in every now and then,” she stated. 

In fact, on an October 9 episode of the Unfiltered Waters Podcast, she dropped a bombshell on the swimming community. The 23-year-old turned heads at the Paris Olympics, but maybe she had another reason for this. “Last Olympics, I said to myself that this was going to be my last Olympics,” she stated. Kaylee McKeown wants to focus on relaxing and being in the moment for now. 

But this time helped her realize one thing. “Now I’m sitting here, I’m like I want more, you know? I’m still enjoying it, I’m still happy, and I love swimming still. So, why wouldn’t I keep doing it?” While this pushed her to train more and contest in more events, it finally caught up to her. It’s bitter-sweet watching her step away from the pool. But she definitely deserves some much-needed rest.