Splashbacks 2023: The Top Stories From March/April; Kaylee McKeown Delivers Impressive Efforts
Traditionally, Swimming World caps each year by revisiting some of its most-read stories from the previous months. This Splashback package is broken into six parts, with each segment looking at the top topics of a two-month span. Our Splashbacks will run through the last day of 2023, and lead us into the unquestionable excitement to come in 2024 – an Olympic year.
Here is a glance at the top stories of 2023 from March and April.
1. House Passes Ban On Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports
Further highlighting the debate on the topic, the most-read article in April was a news piece on the House of Representatives vote to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at federally funded institutions.
2. Kaylee McKeown’s Shock Australian Title Win in 200 Breaststroke
Best known as an Olympic champion in the backstroke events, Aussie Kaylee McKeown put her range on display at the Australian Championships by claiming a gold medal in the 200 breaststroke, thanks to a time of 2:24.18.
3. Marathon Swimming in a Shark Cage: A Unique Way to Race in the Open Water
Contributor Ned Denison wrote this piece on why a shark cage might be utilized during an open-water swim. The piece highlights some of the guidelines and the risk of sharing the ocean with a top predator.
4. Kaylee McKeown Smashes 200m Backstroke World Record with a Stunning 2:03.14 In Sydney
Kaylee McKeown makes the March/April list for the second time. In March, McKeown broke the world record in the 200-meter backstroke, posting a performance of 2:03.14 during the New South Wales Open Championships.
5. Matt Richards Becomes First Athlete to Hit Historic 21/47/1:44 Freestyle Triple
British star Matt Richards was the focus of this article, which appreciates the range Richards has shown in freestyle action. Richards became the first athlete to go sub-22 in the 50 freestyle, sub-48 in the 100 free and sub-1:45 in the 200 free.