Five-time Olympic gold medallist Kaylee McKeown has announced her withdrawal from the prestigious World Cup swimming series in China, citing the need to prioritize her mental health. The Australian swimmer made this decision after participating in the opening day of the Shanghai leg of the competition.
In a heartfelt message on Instagram, McKeown expressed her gratitude to World Aquatics for the opportunity to compete in Shanghai, stating, “It’s been so much fun here.” She emphasized the importance of mental well-being, saying, “Putting my mental health first, I’ve decided to cut my experience short. As an athlete, it’s so important to listen to your heart and to know when enough is enough. Time for a well overdue break.”
McKeown has been a dominant presence in the World Cup series, having secured the overall women’s title last year and set multiple world records. Following her success at the Paris Olympics, where she defended her titles in the 100m and 200m backstroke, she returned to the pool just weeks later at the Australian short-course championships. During that event, she shattered the 100m short-course backstroke world record, explaining that she was feeling “stir-crazy” from staying at home.
The World Cup series will continue next weekend in South Korea before moving on to Singapore.
