Kaylee McKeown remains the top swimmer in the women’s Olympic backstroke.
The Australian defeated Regan Smith of the United States in the 100 backstroke on Tuesday night, keeping the title she won at the Tokyo Games.
Smith, who set a new world record with a time of 57.13 seconds at the U.S. trials last month, was leading at the turn but couldn’t hold off McKeown. McKeown successfully defended the title she won in Tokyo three years ago.
McKeown took the lead about halfway through the second lap and finished with a time of 57.33, winning comfortably over Smith, who finished with 57.66.
The U.S. also secured the bronze with Katharine Berkoff finishing third in 57.98.
Smith reached over the lane rope to congratulate McKeown, but this loss was likely disappointing. The 22-year-old from Minnesota seemed to be in excellent shape and was expected to win her first gold medal.
Instead, McKeown won her fourth gold. She had previously swept the backstroke events in Tokyo and won a gold medal in a relay.
Daniel Wiffen won Ireland’s first gold medal in swimming since Michelle Smith’s three golds at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, which were marred by scandal.
Wiffen overtook Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri on the final lap, looking as strong as he did at the start of the tough race.
Wiffen finished with a time of 7 minutes, 38.19 seconds, and climbed on the lane ropes to celebrate. Defending Olympic champion Bobby Finke also finished strongly, moving ahead of Paltrinieri to take the silver with a time of 7:38.75.
Paltrinieri earned the bronze at 7:39.38.
This achievement follows Mona McSharry’s bronze in the 100 breaststroke the previous night, marking another standout moment for Irish swimming.
Before these Olympics, Ireland’s swimming achievements were mainly associated with Michelle Smith, who won three golds and a bronze in 1996 amid doping suspicions. Smith later received a four-year doping ban, but she kept her medals from Atlanta.
