{"id":593290,"date":"2024-07-30T17:52:46","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T00:52:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=593290"},"modified":"2024-07-31T02:33:29","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T09:33:29","slug":"paris-olympics-kaylee-mckeown-draws-on-her-superpower-dad-to-unleash-successful-defense-of-100m-backstroke-gold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/paris-olympics-kaylee-mckeown-draws-on-her-superpower-dad-to-unleash-successful-defense-of-100m-backstroke-gold\/","title":{"rendered":"Olympics: Kaylee McKeown Draws On ‘Superpower’ Dad in Backstroke Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paris Olympics: Kaylee McKeown Draws On Her \u201cSuperpower\u201d Dad to Unleash Successful Defense of 100m Backstroke Gold<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2020, the McKeown family lost its biggest fan, a man who they believe continues to shine down on them in times of need and with 20 metres to go in the women\u2019s Olympic 100m backstroke final at the Paris La Defense Arena tonight, his youngest daughter Kaylee, made the call to her dad.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old defending champion from Tokyo speed-dialed in her \u201cSuperpower\u201d father Sholto<\/strong>, who lost his battle with brain cancer on Queensland\u2019s Sunshine Coast four years ago.<\/p>\n

The call came after a brave first 80 metres from the U.S. pair of world record holder Regan Smith<\/strong> and emerging star Katharine Berkoff<\/strong>, who had taken the unstoppable Aussie head on in a four-way battle for the podium.<\/p>\n

In a matter of strokes tonight, the gritty, determined racer that McKeown is, found something, that little bit extra that \u201cSuperpower\u201d from above to become only the second woman in history to win back-to-back Olympic 100m backstroke crowns<\/a>, joining U.S. superstar Natalie Coughlin<\/strong> (2004 and 2008).<\/p>\n

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Passages: Sholto’s Fierce Fighting Spirit Lives On As McKeown Sisters Honour Their Late Father<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n