McKeown pays tribute to late father after winning backstroke gold in Tokyo

Xinhua
27 Jul 2021, 13:14 GMT+10

CANBERRA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Australian Kaylee McKeown paid tribute to her late father on Tuesday when she won the women's 100m backstroke gold medal at Tokyo 2020.

McKeown, 20, stormed home after turning in third to beat Canada's Kylie Masse and America's Regan Smith and claim gold in Tuesday morning's final.

Her time of 57.47 seconds was an Olympic record and only 0.02 seconds slower than the world record time she set at Australia's swimming trials in June.

"It's definitely something that people dream of. It's something I have dreamed of too," she told Australian television after the race. "To make it a reality is really amazing."

McKeown dedicated the win to her father, Sholto, who passed away from brain cancer in 2020.

"I hope you're proud and I'll keep doing you proud," she said.

The victory delivered McKeown her first career Olympic gold, and the third for both Australia and its swimmers at Tokyo.

Her older sister Taylor, who won an Olympic silver medal in Rio in 2016, praised Kaylee's work ethic after the Games were postponed by the pandemic.

"Kaylee's taken it in her stride, come back better, faster, fitter stronger than ever," she told local media 7NEWS.

"The hardship is done. This is the easy part now and she's up there really enjoying racing. This is an absolute testament to her and her hard work."

"You can ask anyone in her training group and anyone on the swim team - Kaylee's a hard worker, she'll push herself till she vomits and just an absolute animal. Good on her."

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cambodian Times.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

Hundreds of lives lost as London-bound Air India plane crashes after take-off

World in shock over devastating crash of Air India flight to London

NEW DELHI, India - The world is in shock following Thursday's devastating plane crash in India which has killed at least 290 people,...

US offers $10 million reward for El Chapo’s fugitive sons

$10 million reward offered for El Chapo's fugitive sons

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States has placed sanctions on two sons of jailed Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. These two...

Author Frederick Forsyth dies at 86 after brief illness

'Day of the Jackal' author Frederick Forsyth dies at 86

LONDON, UK: Frederick Forsyth, the renowned British author behind The Day of the Jackal and numerous other bestselling thrillers, has...

Storm strands Chinese vessel Near Thitu Island, raises tensions

Chinese ship stuck in disputed waters near Philippine-held island

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines: A Chinese ship got stuck in shallow waters near a Philippine-controlled island in the disputed South...

UN Demands End to Myanmar Violence as Junta’s Election Plans Risk Further Instability

Myanmar in Peril: UN Envoy Warns of 'Path to Self-Destruction'

Nearly three months after a devastating earthquake struck Myanmar, the country remains trapped in a deepening crisis, compounded by...

Epidurals to be offered in all major Chinese hospitals by 2025

China to mandate epidurals in hospitals to boost birth rate

HONG KONG: In a bid to tackle its declining birth rate, China will soon require all major hospitals to offer epidural anesthesia during...

Sports

Section

"What I witnessed was not just a cricket match, but a culmination...": De Villiers' heartfelt note to RCB following maiden IPL title

New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Legendary South African and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter AB de Villiers penned a heartwarming...