Who Is Kaylee McKeown? Swimmer Who Crushed Regan Smith to Make Australian History at Paris Olympics

Kaylee McKeown has just made history at the Paris La Défense Arena tonight! The Aussie first made her debut at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympics, claiming 3 medals to her name. During her stint at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games, she went on to set a new world record with 57.45 during the 100m dash. The 23-year-old is now back to add a few more Olympic medals to her ever-growing tally and successfully defended her 100m title on July 30. The stage was set for an epic showdown between two McKeown and Regan Smith. The latter had broken the Aussie’s 100m backstroke world record at the U.S. Swimming Trials with a stellar 57.13 seconds.

The American was hoping to keep that momentum going at the finals. But even though the both of them had the two best times in the semi-finals. The Aussie proved to be faster, edging Smith out for an easy win in 57.33 seconds. However, they locked horns again in the 200m backstroke tonight. While the American was looking for redemption, she wasn’t a match for the 23-year-old who bested her yet again. McKeown successfully retained her 200m backstroke title with a new Olympic record of 2.03.73 seconds. Luckily, she isn’t done just yet.

Current 200m backstroke world record holder, Kaylee McKeown settled in to lane 5 next to USA’s fastest semi finalist Phoebe Bacon. Regan Smith was a little over in lane 5. The stakes are high, and both of them had set their sights on a shiny Olympic gold. The two battled it out with a quick start, but things took a turn when Kylie Masse became the new leader after the first 50m. But Smith isn’t too far behind, quickly catching up to her.

Even though she still held on to her lead in the third length, she seemed to dwindle just by a bit. Taking advantage of this, the Aussie edged her out yet again, swimming her way to the finish. She did it once on July 30 and she did it again tonight. Kaylee McKeown touched the wall first, turning to check her time. She did it! She claimed yet another gold at the French capital while shattering a 12-year-old record of 2:04:06 set at the 2012 London Games.

Once again Regan Smith had to settle for an Olympic silver, trailing behind in 2:04:26 seconds. Even though Masse and Bacon were chasing a third place finish, the Canadian finished third in 2:05:73 seconds. After collecting Australia’s 10th Olympic gold in Paris, she has etched her name in the history books by becoming the first Aussie to win 4 individual medals at the Summer Games. However, she isn’t done yet. Boasting the fastest time in 2024 for the 200m IM, she will be competing at the semi-finals later tonight.

Adding more fuel to the Australia vs USA swimming rivalry

This obviously wasn’t the first time the two have crossed paths. Regan Smith first turned heads at the 2019 World Championships when she shattered the 100m backstroke world record in 57.57 seconds. However, Kaylee McKeown reclaimed the title back in 57.45 seconds at the Australian Olympic Trials in 2021. However, the two faced off at the Japanese capital in the 100m backstroke event. Just short of her world record, the Aussie claimed an Olympic gold in 57.47 seconds.

Kylie Masse trailed behind her in 57.72 seconds claiming the silver medal, while Regan had to settle for a bronze in 58.05 seconds. She faced a similar fate in 2023 at the World Swimming Championships in Japan. Even though Smith had a strong lead in the 100m backstroke, McKeown soon took over claiming a world title with 57.53 seconds. The American trailed behind in 57.78 seconds, settling for the second place this time around. Tonight at the Paris La Défense Arena, she had to look defeat straight in the face yet again.