Kaylee McKeown is widely recognized for her remarkable achievements in the pool. Born in 2001, in Redcliffe, Queensland, she showed early promise in swimming, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Olympic medalist Taylor McKeown. Kaylee quickly carved her own path, becoming one of the most dominant backstroke swimmers in the world.
Making her first Australian Dolphins debut at age 15, for the 2017 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungry, Kaylee showed she was a force to be reckoned with. She claimed 4th place in the 200m backstroke final, competing against reining world champions, Olympic medallists and world record holders.
Her breakthrough came at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to the pandemic), where she won three gold medals, solidifying her status as a global swimming sensation. She claimed victories in the 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, and as part of the 4x100m medley relay team, setting an Olympic record in the 100m backstroke. Her success was a testament to her exceptional talent, work ethic, and mental resilience, particularly as she competed while mourning the loss of her father, Sholto, to brain cancer in 2020.
Kaylee also made history in June 2021 by setting the world record in the 100m backstroke with a time of 57.45 seconds, surpassing the previous record held by American swimmer Regan Smith. This performance demonstrated her ability to push the boundaries of the sport.
Known for her versatility, Kaylee excels not only in backstroke but also in medley events, showcasing her all-around swimming skills. She has continued to dominate at major international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kaylee solidified her status as one of the sport's greats by achieving a historic "double-double" in backstroke events. She became the first female backstroker to win both the 100m and 200m events at consecutive Olympic Games, defending her titles from Tokyo 2020.
In the women's 200m backstroke final, McKeown set an Olympic record with a time of 2:03.73, showcasing her dominance in the discipline. She also claimed a bronze medal in the 2oom individual medley.
Beyond her individual successes, McKeown's performance contributed significantly to Australia's impressive medal tally in swimming at the Paris Games. Her achievements have further cemented her legacy in Australian swimming history.
Kaylee’s coaching style has been described as nurturing and highly insightful by those who have been lucky enough to secure a session with her. Kaylee has completed various private coaching sessions and group clinics since 2017, showing ability not only to perform at a high level, but coach at one too.