Kaylee McKeown Breaks Own Olympic Record With 57.33 100 Backstroke To Defend Title

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

WOMEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE—FINALS

Podium

  1. Kaylee McKeown (AUS) – 57.33
  2. Regan Smith (USA) – 57.66
  3. Katharine Berkoff (USA) -57.98
  4. Kylie Masse (CAN) – 58.29
  5. Iona Anderson (AUS) – 58.98
  6. Ingrid Wilm (CAN) – 59.25
  7. Emma Terebo (FRA) – 59.40
  8. Beryl Gastaldello (FRA) – 59.80

Kaylee McKeown of Australia broke her own Olympic Record in the women’s 100 backstroke en route to defending her title. McKeown swam a 57.33 tonight, faster than her previous record of a 57.47 that she swam to win the event at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Paris Tokyo 2023 World Cup
50 28.08 28.2 28.15
100 29.25 29.27 29.18
57.33 57.47 57.33

McKeown tied her own Australian and Oceanic Record as well. She swam that record of a 57.33 in October 2023 at the World Cup. That time stood as the World Record until last month when Regan Smith of the US swam to a 57.13 at US Olympic Trials. Smith won silver tonight in a 57.66.

Tonight’s win continues McKeown’s dominance in the women’s 100 backstroke in recent years. She won the event in Tokyo, did not swim the event at 2022 Worlds, but picked right back up with a win in the event at 2023 Worlds. She notably swept the backstroke events at 2023 Worlds, becoming the first woman in history to so do.

McKeown will look to continue her medal haul this week as she will also swim in the 200 backstroke and the 200 IM. She also is expected to be on the Australian women’s 4×100 medley relay.

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Max Hardie
4 months ago

If Kaylee is close to Regan with 15 to go she will always prevail because she has an extra gear. The 200 is going to be exactly the same.

Gold Magic
4 months ago

Kaylee McKeown comes out on top again. AGAIN!! What does it all mean.

Also, to the people saying well Reagan is 100 WR holder. It’s only a matter of time until Kaylee re-owns that too, in a faster environment. You know it’s coming.

mS424
Reply to  Gold Magic
4 months ago

It would of been a WR if it weren’t for the slow pool. But to be honest, I didn’t think 57.3 was going to be the winning time. Maybe more around 57.5 or 57.6.

Thomas The Tank Engine
Reply to  Gold Magic
4 months ago

Bar unforseen situation… knock on wood, Kaylee will break 100 back WR

Last edited 4 months ago by Thomas The Tank Engine
Thomas The Tank Engine
4 months ago

France owes us big time by building kiddie pool

We are robbed of the first 56 w100 backstroke (which would have put w100 back on the parity with m100breast)

Thomas The Tank Engine
4 months ago

Kaylee McKeown is undefeated in individual 100/200 back since 2019.

What can Regan do?

She’s done everything.

She has Bob Bowman.

Bob Bowman changed Olympics schedule for her. Is Karma biting Bob’s a**?

Susan
4 months ago

A class act from both Swimmers.. Regan just seems to try too hard against Kaylee..not sure she found any easy speed..it’s there for Regan, she will figure it out. She is the WR holder:)

Thomas The Tank Engine
Reply to  Susan
4 months ago

Paraphrasing the words of many Americans (changing Kaylee for Regan, and Australia for USA):

Regan Smith always swim slower outside USA and can never swim fast in a different time zone.

Esstee
4 months ago

Lot of Olympic records for such a ‘slow’ pool

Kudzai Makova
Reply to  Esstee
4 months ago

No World Record and it’s already Day 5

Thomas The Tank Engine
Reply to  Esstee
4 months ago

It would have been WR in a decent pool.

Sandorelli
4 months ago

This woman can’t be stopped. Looking forward to the 200. Also looking forward to Mel predicting Smith to sweep the backstrokes events at the next major meet.

Thomas The Tank Engine
Reply to  Sandorelli
4 months ago

Kaylee McKeown beat Regan Smith in individual races since 2019. Kaylee is 50-100-200 back world champion, double 100 back Olympics champion, defending 200 back Olympics champion.

Swimswam commentariat:

When she’s on her day, Regan Smith beat Kaylee.

(No, when she’s on her day, Kaylee beat Regan)

Rowdy Gaines:

Regan Smith sweep backstroke events at world Championships and Olympics until she retires.

NotHimAgain
4 months ago

Kaylee McKeown, you little beauty! What a magnificent swim, and in a new Olympic record, which would have been a world record if you hadn’t had to compete in the Olympic equivalent of a toddlers’ pool.

You’ve done yourself, your family, and your country proud!

Thomas The Tank Engine
Reply to  NotHimAgain
4 months ago

We are robbed two WR tonight

W100 back and m4x200.

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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