Swimming-Relief for McKeown after DQ scare at Australian trials
FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Swimming - Women's 200m Backstroke Victory Ceremony - Paris La Defense Arena, Nanterre, France - August 02, 2024. Gold medallist Kaylee McKeown of Australia with her medal after setting a new Olympic record REUTERS/Marko Djurica/File Photo
(Reuters) -Five-times Olympic gold medallist Kaylee McKeown was cleared to compete in the 50m backstroke final at the Australian trials on Monday after she successfully appealed her disqualification in the heats.
The 23-year-old world record holder finished first in her heat but her time was not displayed on the board and she was ushered away in tears by officials after being called for an early start.
However, McKeown's team lodged an appeal and after an anxious wait she was given the green light to compete in the final, which closes out the opening day of the trials in Adelaide.
The trials serve as Australia's qualifiers for the July 11-August 3 world championships in Singapore.
"(McKeown) was disqualified after being ruled to initiate an early start from lane four of heat one but her protest was upheld after officials ruled in her favour that she was distracted by a movement immediately prior to the signal," Swimming Australia said.
"Her time of 27.27 made her the fastest qualifier tonight with good mate Mollie O'Callaghan second fastest with 27.72 – both under qualifying time for Singapore World Championships."
McKeown became the first woman to retain the 100 and 200 backstroke Olympic titles at last year's Paris Games.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Cklamovski Hails Harimau Malaya's Commitment In 4-0 Win Over Vietnam
SPORTS KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- Harimau Malaya head coach Peter Cklamovski has attributed his players' commitment as the key to their success in crushing Vietnam 4-0 in their second AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Group match at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here tonight. The Australian coach, speaking at a post-match press conference, said it also proved the effectiveness of the training his players underwent within a short period. "In the first half, we created a good chance, while the players showed their discipline in the second half. I praise their commitment, and they deserve the win," he said. Cklamovski also cautioned his players not to get carried away by tonight's victory and to remain focused on the Asian Cup qualifiers, admitting there was still room for improvement ahead of the next match. Meanwhile, Vietnam coach Kim Sang Sik conceded to the strength of the Harimau Malaya squad this time, but believed his team still had a chance to seek revenge in the return leg. "This game, I felt Malaysia was very strong, stronger than before. We had expected their performance to be better than before. "First half, we did as planned, but in the second half, we lost two defenders, thus affecting our defence," he said. Malaysia ended an eleven-year winless streak against Vietnam with a 4-0 victory tonight, courtesy of goals from Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Corbin Ong, and Dion Cools. -- BERNAMA
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Cklamovski pleased with Malaysia's focus in big win over Vietnam
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia coach Peter Cklamovski hailed his men's focus in the 4-0 demolition of Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday. Harimau Malaya hit Vietnam with goals from Joao Figueiredo (49th minute), Rodrigo Holgado (59th), La'vere Corbin Ong (67th) and Dion Cools (88th) The win propelled Malaysia to the top of Group F with six points from two matches. Malaysian beat Nepal 2-0 in March. "I thought we were good in the first half, it was a strong team performance. We went into half time, 0-0, but we probably could have got in front in that first half, " said Australian Cklamovski in the post-match press conference. "It was important that we stayed focused in the second half, the discipline and kept working hard as a team. And you know that's important for us because we don't rely on one player, we rely on 11 players. "On the pitch everything went well, whoever's out there, the subs did well. If we get one, we'll get two, we'll get three." Cklamovski also paid tribute to the Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) bus crash victims and their family. "I just want to, on behalf of everybody within the national team, pay tribute to all the families that were affected by yesterday's hope football can provide happiness."
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Golf-Aussie Day sports American stars and stripes shorts at U.S. Open
Jun 9, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Jason Day signs an autograph during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (Reuters) -Australian Jason Day, already known for his loud outfits on the golf course, turned heads again on Tuesday when he showed up for U.S. Open practice at Oakmont Country Club sporting a loose-fitting pair of red, white and blue American flag shorts. To complete the patriotic all-American look, which seemed more suited for a U.S. Fourth of July barbecue than a practice for a men's major, Day wore a quarter-zip jacket that featured a blue and white star-lined collar. Former world number one Day, who left Nike in early 2024 to join Malbon Golf, had some bold ensembles ready for this year's Masters but said that week he changed his plans after Augusta National requested he dress in a more reserved way. At the 2024 Masters, Day wore baggy blue pants and a loud sweater vest that featured "No. 313. Malbon Golf Championship" in large block letters across the front when he showed up on the Friday to complete his first round alongside Tiger Woods. But when the 2015 PGA Championship winner showed up for the second round later that day, the vest was gone and he later said tournament organisers had asked him to remove the garment. (Reporting by Frank PingueEditing by Christian Radnedge)
