Aussie sensation Kaylee McKeown, 20, wins GOLD in the 100m backstroke at the Tokyo Games

Aussie sensation Kaylee McKeown, 20, drops the F-bomb after winning GOLD in the 100m backstroke at the Tokyo Games – and dedicates her Olympic record swim to her father who died from brain cancer

  • Kaylee McKeown has won her first ever gold medal in women’s 100m backstroke
  • The 20-year-old smashed the world record in Aussie Olympic trials last month 
  • She stormed home to topple Canada’s Kylie Masse who was on WR pace 
  • McKeown dedicated the win to her father who died from brain cancer last year 

Aussie swimming prodigy Kaylee McKeown has won her first ever gold medal, flying home to win the women’s 100m backstroke, dedicating the swim to her late father.

The 20-year-old, who smashed the world record in June at the Australian Swimming Trials, added Olympic champion to that title, continuing the Aussie girls’ success in the pool.

Canada’s Kylie Masse held a strong lead heading into the 50m turn and was 0.19 seconds ahead of McKeown’s world record time but the young Aussie stormed home to take gold. 

‘F*ck yeah!’ McKeown said to Channel 7’s poolside reporter after the race, throwing up a shaka in true Aussie fashion.  

Her father Sholto passed away after a battle with brain cancer in August last year, with McKeown getting a tattoo as tribute saying ‘I’ll always be with you’ on her foot. 

‘I hope you’re proud, and I’ll keep doing you proud,’ she said after the win. 

Aussie swimming prodigy Kaylee McKeown has won her first ever gold medal, flying home to win the women’s 100m backstroke

Canada's Kylie Masse held a strong lead heading into the 50m turn and was 0.19 seconds ahead of McKeown's world record time but the young Aussie stormed home to take gold

Canada’s Kylie Masse held a strong lead heading into the 50m turn and was 0.19 seconds ahead of McKeown’s world record time but the young Aussie stormed home to take gold

The family have rallied around Kaylee in the lead up to the Tokyo Games, with her father dying before he could see his daughter win her first gold medal

The family have rallied around Kaylee in the lead up to the Tokyo Games, with her father dying before he could see his daughter win her first gold medal

McKeown’s family including her gold medal-winning former Olympian sister Taylor were watching on from Australia, overcome by emotion when being interviewed immediately following Kaylee’s win.

‘I’ll have a word with her later,’ her mum said of her swearing.  

The family have rallied around Kaylee in the lead up to the Tokyo Games, with her father dying before he could see his daughter win her first gold medal. 

‘I use it every day that I wake up,’ McKeown said of her dad last month.

‘I know it’s a privilege to be on this earth and walk and talk.’ 

Her sister said while she doubts Kaylee, a proud Queenslander, will be swimming at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 she hopes she’ll be involved.

‘She will be the Emily Seebohm to the next Kaylee McKeown,’ Taylor said. 

20-year-old Kaylee McKeown has become Australia's latest gold medallist after storming home to win the 100m backstroke in Tokyo

20-year-old Kaylee McKeown has become Australia’s latest gold medallist after storming home to win the 100m backstroke in Tokyo

Four-time Olympian Emily Seebohm hugs Kaylee McKeown after winning gold in the 100m backstroke at Tokyo

Four-time Olympian Emily Seebohm hugs Kaylee McKeown after winning gold in the 100m backstroke at Tokyo

The Olympic record was broken in four consecutive races in the 100m backstroke heats, with Canada’s Kylie Masse, USA’s Regan Smith and McKeown all shattering the record. Smith would then break it again in her semi-final to qualify fastest.

McKeown admitted to feeling the pressure in the event so far in the Games, particularly following her world record last month. 

‘I think I put the pressure on myself to be honest,’ McKeown said following her semi.

‘I like the nerves – it means you’re about to do something special and you care about what you’re doing. So as long as I’ve got those nerves, I’m happy.’ 

The gold is Australia’s third at the Tokyo Games so far, including Ariarne Titmus’ stunning win over Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle and the women’s 4x100m relay triumph. 

Compatriot Emily Seebohm finished fifth in her fourth Olympic Games. 

McKeown is set to heavily feature in the remaining events, with medal prospects in the 200m backstroke, 200m individual medley, 4×100 medley relay and 4x100m mixed medley relay. 



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