{"id":592983,"date":"2024-07-29T11:45:53","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T18:45:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=592983"},"modified":"2024-07-30T08:00:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T15:00:05","slug":"paris-olympics-day-3-semifinals-regan-smith-and-kaylee-mckeown-set-up-title-duel-in-100-backstroke-katharine-berkoff-lurking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/paris-olympics-day-3-semifinals-regan-smith-and-kaylee-mckeown-set-up-title-duel-in-100-backstroke-katharine-berkoff-lurking\/","title":{"rendered":"Paris Olympics, Day 3 Semifinals: Regan Smith and Kaylee McKeown Set Up Title Duel in 100 Backstroke; Katharine Berkoff Lurking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paris Olympics, Day 3 Semifinals: Regan Smith and Kaylee McKeown Set Up Title Duel in 100 Backstroke; Katharine Berkoff Lurking<\/strong><\/p>\n

The much-anticipated duel between the United States’ Regan Smith<\/strong> and Australian Kaylee McKeown<\/strong> for Olympic gold has officially been scheduled, but another American plans to play a significant role in the outcome.<\/p>\n

Racing in separate semifinals at the Paris Games on Monday night, Smith and McKeown were separated by just .02 as they nailed down the top-two seeds for the next day’s final. Smith checked in with a time of 57.97 while McKeown was right behind in 57.99 to set up what should be a classic final. Three years ago in Tokyo, McKeown landed the gold medal, with Smith finishing behind Canadian Kylie Masse<\/strong> for the bronze medal.<\/p>\n

Although Smith and McKeown will undoubtedly lead the chase for the Olympic crown, Katharine Berkoff<\/strong> will also be in the mix. The runnerup to Smith at the United States Olympic Trials, Berkoff was the top qualifier out of the morning prelims, thanks to a swim of 57.99. She was slightly off that pace during the semifinals, going 58.27, but her presence has been established.<\/p>\n

Smith and McKeown have combined for the 15-fastest times in the history of the 100 backstroke and of the 44 sub-58 performances of all-time, 36 belong to the longtime rivals. Yet, the relationship between the American and Aussie is highly respectful, the exchange of congratulatory notes part of that regard.<\/p>\n

McKeown’s upstart countrywoman, Iona Anderson<\/strong>, advanced to the final as the fourth seed. Anderson was timed in 58.63, with Masse the final athlete to record a swim under 59 seconds. Masse went 58.82 and was followed into the final by Canada’s Ingrid Wilm<\/strong> (59.10) and the French duo of Beryl Gastaldello<\/strong> (59.29) and Emma Terebo<\/strong> (59.50).<\/p>\n