Kaylee McKeown Pulls Out of World Cup Series: “Putting My Mental Health First”

2024 WORLD AQUATICS SWIMMING WORLD CUP-SHANGHAI

After a record-setting day in Shanghai, Kaylee McKeown has announced her withdrawal from the remainder of the World Cup Series.

On Day 1 of the opening leg of the circuit, McKeown broke the Oceanian, Australian and World Cup Record in the women’s 50 backstroke, clocking 25.36 for the second-fastest swim of all-time, just 11 one-hundredths shy of the world record.

The 23-year-old followed up by placing third in the 100 IM in a time of 57.76, but after a successful opening day, McKeown announced she was pulling out of the series to prioritize her mental health.

She wrote on Instagram:

I would like to thank World Aquatics for the opportunity to come out and race at World Cups, it’s been so much fun here in Shanghai.

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 ✌🏽❤️

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kaylee McKeown OAM (@kaylee_mckeown)

Two weeks ago, McKeown announced she was dropping out of the Short Course World Championships in December, citing the physical and mental toll the Olympic year has had on her. At the time, she said she would still race the World Cup series, but has opted out after just one day of racing in China.

The Shanghai leg of the series will run for the next two days, and although it sounds as though McKeown will stop competing immediately, she stills appears on the heat sheets for Saturday morning’s session.

Last year, McKeown was a dominant force on the World Cup series, winning the overall women’s title and walking away with a total prize purse of $186,000 after breaking multiple world records and earning three ‘Triple Crown’ bonuses for sweeping the women’s backstroke events at all three stops.

In the lead-up to the Olympics, the series was contested in long course meters last fall, but has returned to the traditional SCM format this year.

At the Paris Olympics, McKeown was unstoppable in the women’s 100 and 200 back, sweeping the events for the second straight Games while adding a third individual medal in the 200 IM (bronze) and a pair of relay medals for a total haul of five.

The withdrawal leaves American Regan Smith, McKeown’s primary rival, as the clear-cut favorite to dominate the women’s backstroke events for the rest of the series and into SC Worlds. In the 50 back on Friday, Smith was the runner-up to McKeown in a time of 25.70.

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Mark@RIS
1 month ago

With everything she has said in post Olympics interviews about needing a break and then withdrawing from world shortcourse, why was she even on the plane to Shanghai? No one can begrudge her a break from swimming but I assume it’s Swimming Australia that has picked up the tab for her flights and accommodation in Shanghai……could this have funded a younger swimmer who would relish the experience of swimming at their first world cup rather than funding a swimmer who obviously cared so little for being involved in the meet that they’ve pulled out after one day?

Troyy
Reply to  Mark@RIS
1 month ago

Pretty sure World Aquatics covers the costs of athletes they invite.

Oleg
1 month ago

It’s very difficult. Does not matter if you win or lose. Burn out is real. Wish her well

Swimdad
1 month ago

I wonder what role her rivalry with Regan Smith played in her decision. Must be very mentally exhausting to always be on the losing end of a world record.
She’s a phenomenal swimmer nonetheless. Take all the time you need Kaylee.

Joel
Reply to  Swimdad
1 month ago

Stop being so passive aggressive. You know what you are doing. Kaylee held 4 WRs until June. And now she again has 4 WRs. How many does Regan have? One right?

Julie
Reply to  Swimdad
1 month ago

What does this mean? Kaylee and Regan share 3 events in SCM and Kaylee is faster in all 3, having broken the WR in one a few weeks ago.

Madge
Reply to  Swimdad
1 month ago

Two words. Double Double. LOL

Miss M
1 month ago

As a swim fan I’m sad we won’t get to see her swim this series, but I’m glad she’s doing what she needs to do to look after herself!

Steve Nolan
1 month ago

I’m not saying this is an improper use of it, but the blanket “but my mental health!!” as an excuse to just do whatever sometimes goes a little far.

NotHimAgain
Reply to  Steve Nolan
1 month ago

But only if it’s an Aussie swimmer.

Thomas The Tank Engine
Reply to  Steve Nolan
1 month ago

Funny you never said this when Dressel fled from Budapest without even saying anything.

At least Kaylee is woman enough to tell the world.

Joel
Reply to  Thomas The Tank Engine
1 month ago

Was about to comment the same thing. The Aussies are very open and honest at least.

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Thomas The Tank Engine
1 month ago

comment image

Thomas The Tank Engine
Reply to  Steve Nolan
1 month ago

I’m waiting for you to say anything when the inevitable happens:

American swimmers to flee PSS meets before the end.

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Thomas The Tank Engine
1 month ago

How are you this dense?

Jeff
Reply to  Steve Nolan
1 month ago

You dont seem too intelligent there yourself. You have any facts to back up the reply to Thomas the Tank Engine.

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Jeff
1 month ago

I probably know more about my commenting history than some random dude

He picked two things that I’ve said plenty about

YGBSM
Reply to  Steve Nolan
1 month ago

This.

Mental health concerns (in all walks of life) are real concerns, and require professional care. If this athlete truly has mental health issues, she needs care and support. Not scorn or rebuke.

But that said … claiming mental health every time, as some type of universal shield from scrutiny, should not become the easy answer to every withdrawal from meets or training. They’re not machines, and sometimes they do need to take a break. Which is totally fine! So just say that. “I’m too tired” or “I just really need a break” or “I would prefer to withdraw, rather than underperform”. I’m not suggesting that’s what’s going on with this particular athlete. But it’s become so frequent, the mental… Read more »

Steve Nolan
Reply to  YGBSM
1 month ago

Exactly!

It’s using it as a shielding mechanism where it goes too far. (I think it’s fine if she left b/c she didn’t like the breakfast they served at the hotel or w/e, I do not care.)

GOATKeown
1 month ago

I hope she can take the time she needs to recover and get in a better mental space. It’s pretty obvious from interviews that something has been off with her since the Olympics and she never really took the break she had planned. Obviously I’m sad to miss the races we could have seen but she’s making the right decision if she’s feeling this way.

I wonder if she originally wanted to swim this series and now changed her mind or if she only agreed because WA offered her an incentive?

Kevin
1 month ago

She’s been very open and candid in interviews recently. On Unfiltered Waters she admitted that she only did the Australian SC Champs because the rest of her training group was doing it and she didn’t want to be in the pool alone. Even though she isn’t training full time, she’s only been swimming because she wants to so isn’t in a full on program though when she’s there she works because that’s what she does. So in the context of things she’s been saying about enjoying the time with family and being able to say yes to things like hanging out with friends and not having to leave before 9pm to stick with a rigorous schedule this makes sense. She… Read more »

sjostrom stan
Reply to  Kevin
1 month ago

every interview she does is a gem

Joel
Reply to  sjostrom stan
1 month ago

So true.

Mako
Reply to  Kevin
1 month ago

She is a super talent and a very genuine human being. And seriously, who cares about SCM? It’s like turn, 5 strokes, turn, 5 strokes and done. I wonder how much swimming is actually done in short course.

Take all the time you need Kaylee and come back when it is fun again.

Alicia
Reply to  Kevin
1 month ago

She did another interview recently with a mental health and well-being podcast here in Australia. She showed immense vulnerability during the interview and admitted that, at times, her perfectionism and subsequent anxiety does get the better of her.

She’s also recently gone through a relationship breakdown and with Bohly retiring, is considering moving back to the Sunshine Coast to be closer to her mum and sister.

I hope that she takes all the time she needs to rest and reset.

I live to see Australian swimmers win gold
Reply to  Alicia
1 month ago

Can you share the name of the podcast?

oxyswim
1 month ago

Too bad for us swim fans, but a well deserved break for Kaylee

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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