Who is Kaylee McKeown?
Kaylee McKeown is an Australian backstroke swimmer who won both the 100 metres and 200 metres backstroke at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and again at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
McKeown was born in 2001 and grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. She trained with coach Chris Mooney at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
She emerged as a world-class backstroker as a teenager and set world records in backstroke events, including the 100 metres backstroke in 2021.
Back-to-back doubles
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she won gold in the 100 and 200 metres backstroke and the 4x100 metres medley relay. Her wins came just over a year after her father, Shane, died of brain cancer.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she defended both her backstroke titles, becoming one of the few swimmers to win the same two individual events at consecutive Games. She also won a bronze medal in the 200 metres individual medley.
McKeown is known for her strong underwater kicking and smooth technique. Her sister, Taylor McKeown, also swam for Australia and won an Olympic medal in 2016.
Did You Know?
McKeown has held world records in the 50, 100 and 200 metres backstroke.