Tokyo Olympics 2020: Kaylee McKeown wins gold in women’s 100m backstroke | Tokyo Olympics News – Times of India
The 20-year-old touched in 57.47sec, fractionally outside her own world record, with Canada’s Kylie Masse, the Rio bronze medallist, second in 57.72 and American Smith third in 58.05.
“My legs were definitely hurting in the last 20,” said an ecstatic McKeown.
Olympic Record!Four-time Youth Olympics medallist Kaylee McKeown wins her first Olympic gold in the women’s 100m… https://t.co/Jh1ZHl6hBU
— Olympics (@Olympics) 1627351366000
“I’m sure it would have been pretty noticeable on the TV but I trained for that and I knew that I had a really strong back end and a really good chance to be on the podium.”
Masse turned first at 50m with McKeown third, but the Australian powerfully brought it home.
McKeown had a tough lead-up to the Games, with her father dying last year from brain cancer.
#swimming Women’s 100m Backstroke???????? Kaylee McKeown ???? and a new OR!! ????57.47 https://t.co/jK8lnRCL0j
— FINA (@fina1908) 1627351030000
But she used his memory as inspiration to swim a sensational race and smash Smith’s world record at the Australian trials last month.
“It’s not necessarily what I’ve been through,” she said. “Everyone has a journey of their own and it just so happens that mine’s been a really tough one.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way because I don’t think I’d be where I am today without all that happening.”
She is also targeting the 200m backstroke gold, having recently set the fourth-quickest time in history.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
