If you’re an avid swimming fan, you’ve probably heard about the disqualification saga that went down at the national trials last week.
Australian backstroke champion Kaylee McKeown was at the center of the controversy, and now she’s speaking out about what really happened.
What Went Down at the Trials
For those who missed it, McKeown was initially disqualified from the 50-metre backstroke event after her heat in Adelaide.
But here’s the twist – she was later reinstated after it was ruled that she had been distracted by a movement right before the signal.
As the world record holder in the 50m backstroke and a gold medalist at the 2023 world championships, McKeown’s skills in the pool are undeniable.
And, as it turns out, she was indeed affected by something that threw her off her game.
McKeown Sets the Record Straight
In a statement posted on Instagram, McKeown addressed the drama and hinted at what might have caused the distraction.
“I’ve received a lot of scrutiny over the past week for my DQ in the 50 backstroke,” she wrote. “I want to clarify that while it was a clear disqualification, I was able to lodge a protest due to movement directly behind my starting block.”
McKeown made it clear that she followed all the standard procedures for her reinstatement and wouldn’t have protested if she didn’t have a fair case.
The Importance of Fair Play
McKeown also took the opportunity to call out her critics and emphasize the importance of fair play in sports. “What I’m not for is people tearing others down,” she said.
“At no point was I shown any favoritism.” It’s clear that McKeown is passionate about promoting a positive and supportive sports culture, and we couldn’t agree more.
What’s Next for McKeown?
With the world championships coming up between July 28 and August 3, McKeown is gearing up to compete in the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke events.
After winning the 50m backstroke final with a time of 27.33 seconds, she’s proven that she’s still a force to be reckoned with in the pool. We can’t wait to see what she achieves next.