Aussie superstar Kaylee McKeown wins 100m backstroke gold despite ‘irritated' dislocated shoulder
True to form, she won.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Aussie superstar wins gold despite 'irritated' dislocated shoulder.
McKeown has kept Australia atop the medal table entering day four of the swimming world championships in Singapore.
After initially being reluctant to race the women's 100m backstroke, McKeown won Australia's third gold of the titles, one more than any other nation.
'I just didn't want to keep steering away from fear,' McKeown said after her Tuesday night triumph.
'Because the more that you feel fear, it becomes like a monster. And you have got to chase your demons at some point.
'I thought it was better to start sooner rather than later.'
McKeown suffered severe post-Olympic blues after winning double gold in Paris last year, when she was Australia's joint flag bearer at the closing ceremony.
Her long-time coach Michael Bohl moved to China; McKeown intially moved training camps to the Gold Coast, then back home to the Sunshine Coast.
After Australia's selection trials, she dislocated a shoulder.
'I have got a really flexible stroke and it's my benefit when I swim my backstrokes,' she said.
'But sometimes it can cause me to dislocate my shoulder.
'It's been quite irritated but I have got a good medical team and physiotherapists to help me get through.
'I'm really really proud. It's a little bit emotional.'
And, despite a glittering career featuring five Olympic golds, she arrived in Singapore with a point to prove.
'There were a lot of comments of me, saying that I'm scared to lose,' McKeown said.
'But that's not the case at all. If anything, I'm scared to fail myself.
'I have worked really, really hard to get up there and prove to myself that I am a good athlete and swimmer. It doesn't matter if I come first or last.'
McKeown now has five career individual gold medals at the worlds. Only Ian Thorpe has more — six.
The 24-year-old saluted in a personal best of 57.16 seconds, just 0.03 seconds outside American Regan Smith's world record.
'It's a little bit emotional,' McKeown said.
'I have worked so hard just to get myself into a happy state and it's just what I've been focusing on.
'It goes to show that a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer.
'I have trained hard but I wasn't expecting to make a personal best tonight.'
McKeown will chase more medals on Wednesday night as part of Australia's mixed 4x100m medley relay team.
Mollie O'Callaghan enters as favourite in a women's 200m freestyle final also featuring Australia's Jamie Perkins - the event's world record holder Ariarne Titmus remains on a post-Olympic break.
Australia's Sam Short, two nights after snaring silver in the men's 400m freestyle, races for gold in the 800m freestyle.
And Dolphins stalwart Kyle Chalmers commences his individual program in men's 100m freestyle heats and semi-finals, two days after anchoring Australia's win in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay.
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The Advertiser
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Cheers at last for Olympians who defied Moscow boycott
Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him." Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him." Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him." Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him."
The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
Swimming World championships: O'Callaghan wins tenth gold medal as ‘devastated' Short withdraws
Mollie O'Callaghan has produced a stunning swim to win the women's 200m freestyle final and claim her 10th World Championships gold medal. The reigning Olympic champion in the event qualified second-fastest after comfortably progressing through the semi finals, and on Wednesday night, she showed no signs of the nerves that have often followed her before big races. The 21-year-old produced a fantastic start off the blocks to lead early, and despite being pushed by America's Claire Weinsten, O'Callaghan's incredible ability to pull away off the turns saw her claim the world title by a body length. The Australian touched the wall in a time of 1:53.48, beating out China's Bingjie Li, who claimed silver, by over a second. Weinstein claimed bronze while Australia's other qualifier, Jamie Perkins, touched the wall in seventh. Mollie O'Callaghan celebrates after winning gold in the Women's 200m Freestyle Final. Piicture: Getty Images O'Callaghan's immediate reaction appeared as though she was frustrated by the time, but she quickly hopped out of the pool to grab an Australian flag and celebrate the win with the Dolphins' coaches. While the time was over a second outside of Ariarne Titmus' world record in the event, it was still the fastest time swum by a woman this season. It continues O'Callaghan's incredible record at international meets, leaving the 21-year-old on track to become the most decorated Australian swimmer of all time. Only Ian Thorpe (11) has more world championship gold medals than O'Callaghan, who will be looking to at least equal Thorpe by the end of the week in Singapore. The medal is Australia's fourth gold of these World Championships in Singapore, following on from Kaylee McKeown's 100m backstroke win on Tuesday night, as well as both the men's and women's 4x100m freestyle relays on Sunday. 'DEVASTATED' SHORT WITHDRAWS A devastated Sam Short has been forced to withdraw from the men's 800m freestyle final after a night of vomiting triggered by food poisoning from his hotel lunch in Singapore. The 21-year-old was looking to win his second individual medal of the world championships after claiming silver in the 400m freestyle event on Sunday night. And he was primed for another chance to get on the podium after qualifying for Wednesday night's 800m freestyle final as the second-fastest swimmer. The 800m is Short's preferred event, with the Australian having swum the third-fastest time in the world this season and also claiming the silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka with the fastest time ever by an Australian. However, Short posted to Instagram on Wednesday afternoon, confirming that he would not participate in the race, apologising to his fans back in Australia. 'Just wanted to let everyone know that I will not be doing the 800m final tonight after receiving medical advice,' Short posted. Samuel Short won silver in the 400m, and was a great medal hope in the 800m final. Picture: Getty Images 'Extremely emotional after this decision, as I was very excited to showcase what I can do and the training I have done! I still believe this is my best race distance and I was ready for a PB. 'After an awesome heat swim which I felt phenomenal, I got very ill very fast, which we believe is food poisoning from my hotel lunch. I have only been consuming meals from the hotel. My afternoon and night has been full of vomiting and all the other nasty stuff that comes with food poisoning! Not pleasant and extremely draining. 'I had full intention of competing if I started to show signs of improvement. However this has not happened. I am going to try my best to recover as well as possible to help my team in the 4x200 relay on Friday. Sorry Australia.' Many of his Dolphins teammates were quick to offer their support in the comments, including Kyle Chalmers, Lani Pallister and Ariarne Titmus. It's also not the first instance of food poisoning disrupting these World Championships, with the American team hampered by a bout of gastro that is believed to have stemmed from a training camp in Thailand. Short will have two days to recover before reassessing his health ahead of the 4x200m freestyle relay heats on Friday. A Swimming Australia statement confirmed Short would withdraw, but hoped he would recover in time for Friday's 4x200m relay. 'Swimming Australia confirmed today that freestyler Sam Short had stepped down from tonight's 800m final due to gastrointestinal illness,' the statement read. 'At this stage there is no clear link to where the illness was contracted and we are continuing to investigate its source. 'We will also continue to monitor Sam's condition and it is hoped he will recover in time to compete in Friday's 4x200m relay. 'The team's medical staff has been advising the team on further preventative measures and at this stage, no other Australian swimmer has had their World Championships campaign impacted.' Lachlan McKirdy NSW AFL Reporter Lachlan McKirdy is an AFL reporter for The Daily Telegraph and CODE Sports covering the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants in NSW. He also has a strong passion for covering cricket and the Olympic sports, with eexperience working for the International Olympic Committee. He has won awards for his journalism, including from Cricket NSW, while loves bringing a multimedia edge to his work through video and audio means. @LMcKirdy7 Lachlan McKirdy
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Moscow Olympians finally recognised
Australian Olympians who competed at the 1980 Moscow Games have finally been recognised for their efforts 45 years later. The 1980 games have been a black spot on the Olympic record. Seven months before they were set to be held, the then Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan causing many countries to boycott the games. Although Australia never formally boycotted the event, public sentiment against Australian attendance was widespread. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser urged the Australian Olympic Federation (now the Australian Olympic Committee) to support the boycott and even offered athletes $6000 each as incentive not to compete. The 1980 Australian Olympic Team that defied intense public pressure to take part in the controversial Moscow Games attend Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Some teams, including the entire Australian hockey and equestrian teams, withdrew completely, but in the end the Australian Olympic Federation narrowly voted against withdrawing from the games — six votes to five. Ultimately, just 121 of the original 273 athletes made it to the Games — quietly and with little fanfare — they were snuck in and out of the country in an unmarked plane and out of uniform. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Sussan Ley officially recognised the athletes participation and subsequent treatment in an address to parliament. 'When you were chosen to wear the green and gold you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you,' the Prime Minister said. 'And on your return you should be welcomed home and celebrated for the inspiration you have brought to the next generation of Australian athletes. Mr Albanese, Sport Minister Anika Wells and Speaker of the House, Milton Dick meet with the 1980 Australian Olympic Team for afternoon tea at Parliament House in Canberra. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'Yet 45 years ago, the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan cast a dark shadow over what should have been your shining moment. 'As nations around the world grappled with the boycott, Australia's athletes — some still only teenagers — were placed in an incredibly difficult position. 'One hundred and twenty-one Australians chose to compete under the Olympic flag. Others chose to join the boycott. Some who had won selection never even had the chance to choose because their sport made the decision for them.' Mr Albanese said upon their return athletes were met with 'cold silence or cruel comments'. 'Today, we fix that. Today, on the 45th anniversary, we recognise all that you have achieved and acknowledge all that you have overcome. 'Take pride in both. You are Olympians. You are Australians and you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation. Welcome to parliament and welcome home.'
