​Sydney (AP) — Kaylee McKeown, the five-time Olympic swimming gold medalist, has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific Championships due to glandular fever. The Australian star backstroker won both the 100-meter and 200-meter events at the Tokyo Olympics and repeated the double at the Paris Games in 2024. She also claimed both titles at last year’s world championships in Singapore.
“I am gutted to medically withdraw,” McKeown said in a Swimming Australia statement on Friday. “What I thought a few months ago was flu has turned out to be my body fighting glandular fever. I was sick going into trials and I have just not gotten better, and I am worried about pushing myself so hard that I end up with chronic fatigue. It was a hard decision to make, but the right one.”
The 24-year-old star has not ruled out competing again at a later point and is planning to target the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Commonwealth Games are set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, with the six-day swimming program commencing July 24. The Pan Pacific Championships are scheduled for August 12 to 15 near Los Angeles, marking a return after an eight-year hiatus. The previous edition, held in 2022, was canceled due to disruptions in the international swimming calendar caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
McKeown’s withdrawal comes at a time when Australia’s swimming team has been preparing for a packed slate of international competition in the coming months. Glandular fever, also known as infectious mononucleosis, can cause prolonged fatigue and illness, and athletes facing the condition often require extended recovery time to prevent long-term health consequences and to avoid reducing performance in future events. While the decision to step away from the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs is disappointing for fans and teammates, it underscores a broader commitment to McKeown’s long-term health and future competitive prospects.
Her absence will leave a notable gap in Australia’s sprint and backstroke contingents, as the country continues to plot a course toward the next major global meet on the calendar. McKeown’s leadership and success have been a cornerstone of Australia’s swimming program over the past several years, and her withdrawal highlights the ongoing challenges elite athletes face in balancing peak performance with health considerations.
As the swimming community absorbs the news, anticipation remains for what could be a triumphant return for McKeown in time for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, where she could further etch her name among the sport’s greats. In the meantime, supporters and fellow competitors alike will await updates on her recovery and any revised competition plans as she focuses on regaining strength and conditioning in the coming months.