- The Aussie star won gold in Shanghai this weekend
- But she is now withdrawing from the Swimming World Cup
- It comes after she won two gold medals in Paris
Kaylee McKeown has announced that she will be withdrawing from the Swimming World Cup and will take a break from professional swimming to prioritise her mental health.
The series kicked off on Friday in Shanghai, with the series heading out to Incheon, South Korea this weekend, before its final meeting is due to take begin on October 31.
McKeown, who had planned to take a break following the end of the World Cup, announced the news of her decision on Saturday, while in Shanghai for the opening meeting.
World Aquatics announced earlier this year the lucrative prize pots for the Swimming World Cup, with athletes able to pocket a cool $17,988 by ranking in first position at the end of each stop. Placing 20th will land competitors $5,996 while the overall winners will be handed a whopping prize of $14,9905.
It came before McKeown, 23, had clinched gold in the women’s 50m backstroke this weekend in Shanghai.
‘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,’ McKeown wrote on Instagram.
‘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.’
Australian swimming star Kaylee McKeown has announced she’ll be taking a break from swimming
McKeown took to Instagram to make the announcement, stating she was taking the break to put her mental health first
McKeown has been in Shanghai for the Swimming World Cup and took gold in the women’s 50m backstroke
McKeown added her fourth and fifth golds to her haul of medals at this summer’s Paris Olympic Games, having previously clinched three golds at the 2023 World Championships.
The comments under her Instagram post were filled with messages of support from fellow athletes and governing bodies.
World Athletics wrote: ‘Take some rest and enjoy your time off. See you next year stronger than ever.’
Mollie O’Callaghan added: ‘Congrats on an amazing season! We’re all so proud of you. Now it’s time to enjoy some well-deserved rest.’
Fellow gold medallist Shayna Jack added: ‘Proud of you.’
McKeown had previously said she was going to pull out of the 2024 Short Course World Championships in December, revealing that the preparation for the Paris Games had taken its toll on her.
‘The past five-year prep has been an onslaught both physically and mentally,’ she said.
McKeown had previously said she would be pulling out of the 2024 Short Course World Championships in December
‘I have continuously pursued for consistency and greatness within the work I do and sometimes you just need a break. A break from the hype, the media, the adrenaline rush from competition.
‘Although I will not be competing at WSC I have committed to World Cups in a few weeks. I’m looking forward to competing freely with no pressure and little work.’
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