Australian world record holder Kaylee McKeown left in tears after cruel disqualification in 50m backstroke heat
Kaylee McKeown's world title hopes have been dealt a massive blow after she was disqualified in her 50m backstroke heat at the Australian swimming trials in Adelaide.
The 50 and 100m backstroke world record holder messed up her start in her heat on Monday, leading to her time not counting.
Despite finishing the race in first, when McKeown looked up at the scoreboard, there was no time next to her name.
Officials ruled McKeown false started before the signal and was immediately disqualified.
A Swimming Australia official quickly informed a confused McKeown of what had happened and she was ushered away in tears.
McKeown's team has since confirmed they will appeal the decision.
If unsuccessful McKeown would need several things to fall into place for her to compete at the world championships in Singapore later next month, where the 23-year-old would be heavily favoured to take home gold in both the 50 and 100m backstroke.
The Australian swim team could nominate McKeown if there weren't two Australians who qualified for that event.
Swimming Australia has a qualifying time of 27.74 seconds for the 50m backstroke.
In Monday's heats, Mollie O'Callaghan went under that time (27.72) but Hannah Fredericks (28.21) was slightly slower, despite recording a personal best.
The final is being contested on Monday night and if two swimmers go under the 27.74 mark and McKeown's appeal fails, she won't be able to compete in the 50m backstroke at the upcoming world championships.
It is not the first time McKeown has been disqualified at a major swimming meet as at the 2023 world championships in Japan, the Aussie was disqualified for an illegal turn in a semi-final of her 200m individual medley.
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