100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Kaylee McKeown successfully defends Olympic women's 100m backstroke title

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Coast home recognised as Queensland’s best

A Sunshine Coast home has been recognised as the best in Queensland at a prestigious awards ceremony. Sarah Waller Building’s ‘Blackwood’ claimed the top honours More

Historic town’s new-look streetscape unveiled

A Sunshine Coast town's main street has a new look. Landsborough's Cribb Street has been revitalised by a streetscape project that included introducing a range More

Jane Stephens: the unwitting harm of social media

Comparison is said to be the thief of joy. And while it might not don a balaclava or take money and jewellery, social media platforms More

Photo of the day: misty magic

“The lovely scene at Witta, looking over the Mary Valley and Conondale Ranges,” writes Catherine Mobbs. If you have a photo of the day offering, More

‘Immaculate’ home steps from the beach an ‘entertainer’s dream’

A modern home less than 100 steps from the beach in a sought-after neighbourhood is poised for auction. The corner home boasts luxury and convenience More

Feedback split but council gives nod to luxury hotel relaxations

The Sunshine Coast Council has approved a temporary local planning instrument allowing height and carparking relaxations for luxury hotel developments for the next two More

Kaylee McKeown has won the women’s 100m backstroke gold medal to successfully defend her Olympic title.

The former Pacific Lutheran College student’s triumph at the La Defense Arena delivered Australia a sixth gold at the Paris Games.

The 23-year-old edged the United States’ world record holder Regan Smith in the final.

McKeown, whose father passed away in 2020 after a prolonged battle with brain cancer, won in 57.33 seconds, with Smith taking silver in 57.66.

“I like to think I have a little bit of a superpower and that’s my Dad,” she told the Nine Network.

“I am just over the moon.

“He would be extremely proud of me … I know that he’s here in spirit.”

Australia’s 18-year-old Olympic debutant Iona Anderson (58.98) finished fifth.

American Smith set the early pace and led at the turn, with McKeown in fourth place.

But the Dolphin produced a stunning last lap to surge to victory in an Olympic record time just 0.20 seconds outside of Smith’s global benchmark.

Related story: Swim star on cusp of Olympic greatness, says coach

McKeown is just the second woman to win consecutive 100m backstroke gold medals in Olympic history, following American Natalie Coughlin (2004, 2008).

She collected gold in both the 100m and 200m backstroke events at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.

She will begin the defence of her 200m crown on Thursday with heats and semi-finals ahead of Friday’s medal race.

McKeown has also added the 200m individual medley to her Paris  program, with the final of that event on Saturday.

McKeown now has four gold medals in her Olympic career after also featuring in Australia’s triumphant women’s 4×100 medley team in Tokyo.

She is also likely to feature in Australia’s team in the medley final to be decided on Sunday’s last day of competition at the Paris pool.

Like stories about Sunshine Coast people doing great things? Help us deliver more by registering for our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your email at the bottom of this article.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share