World record holder Kaylee McKeown announces withdrawal from 2024 short course world championships

TOPSHOT – Australian Kaylee McKeown competes in the women’s 200m backstroke final … (+) event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Arène Paris La Défense in Nanterre, west of Paris, on August 2, 2024. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP) (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)

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In a surprising turn of events, Australian star Kaylee McKeown has decided to withdraw from the 2024 short course world championship. Following the 24 squad members selected by the Dolphins following the Australian SC Championship, McKeown made the announcement via Instagram.

“Today I made the decision to withdraw from the 2024 Short Course World Team. It’s not something I wanted but something I had to do,” the 23-year-old wrote talking about taking a “break” from sport.

Over the past five years, she has trained to achieve consistent results and breakthrough victories; However, McKeown revealed that these constant outings have “been both a mental and physical attack.” She is now looking forward to taking a brief break from competition and the media.

Nevertheless, the 2024 World Cup will remain on McKeowns’ agenda this season. In the announcement she confirmed her participation in the event which will take place in the coming weeks, as she hopes to participate without any pressure and with less work. The three stages of the 2024 World Cup, from October 18 to November 2, will take place in Asia.

Shanghai, China, October 18-20
Incheon, South Korea, October 24-26
Singapore, October 31-November 2

The decision to take a break comes after McKeowns’ stellar performance at the Australian SC Championship. She lowered the short course 100-meter backstroke record to 54.56 and set a new national record in the 50-meter backstroke (25.40) at the four-day event.

In McKeown’s absence, teenage star Iona Anderson can help the team secure podium finishes in the Budapest waters. In the 100 meter backstroke event, Anderson placed second with a new personal best of 55.79, securing her name on the list. Additionally, amid McKeown’s withdrawal from the Australian Championship 200 meters competition, Anderson took the opportunity to put in a fast performance in the final. Coached by Ben Higson, she placed first in 2:01.80, setting the sixth fastest time by an Australian. She was followed by Bella Grant, who made the team in 2:04.12.

The qualification for Anderson, 19, comes after winning a silver and a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the 4×100 meter medley and mixed medley events. She also managed to win the silver medal, behind the American Claire Cruzan, in the 100 meter backstroke at the 2024 World Championships (LC).