​Five-time Olympic backstroke champion Kaylee McKeown has withdrawn from this summer’s Commonwealth Games due to glandular fever. The 24-year-old Australian, who holds Olympic, world, and Commonwealth titles in both the 100m and 200m backstroke, will also miss the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in August. McKeown expressed that she is gutted to medically withdraw from the events but insists it is the correct decision for her health.
The Commonwealth Games are scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, with the six-day swimming competition kicking off on July 24. McKeown explained that what began as what she thought was the flu several months ago has, in fact, been her body fighting glandular fever. She reported feeling ill going into trials and has not recovered, raising concerns about pushing herself too hard and risking chronic fatigue. She described the choice as difficult but ultimately the right one to safeguard her long-term well-being.
Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor voiced his support for McKeown’s decision, emphasizing that her health comes first. Taylor noted the high regard in which McKeown is held, praising her fierce competitive spirit and acknowledging the performance she delivered at trials as a clear demonstration of her exceptional talent. He described McKeown as a “once-in-a-generation” athlete and a consummate racer, underscoring the impact of her absence on the upcoming competition.
McKeown’s withdrawal marks a significant development for Australia’s swimming lineup this season. Her decision to prioritize health over immediate competition highlights the growing importance of athlete well-being and medical caution in high-performance sport. As she focuses on recovery, fans and the swimming community will be watching closely to see when she can resume training and return to peak form on the international stage.
The news also casts a spotlight on the broader implications for team selection and strategies ahead of the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships. With McKeown sidelined, coaches and athletes alike may adjust event emphasis, relay configurations, and training loads to maximize performance opportunities while ensuring athletes do not compromise their long-term health. In the meantime, McKeown’s supporters are left hoping for a swift and safe recovery, and for the day when she can again compete at the highest level and add to her already extraordinary legacy in backstroke.