Australian swimming star Kaylee McKeown has withdrawn from this month’s Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships after being diagnosed with glandular fever.
The 24-year-old, who is the reigning Olympic, world and Commonwealth champion in both the 100m and 200m backstroke, announced that she was “gutted” to miss the upcoming competitions but insisted stepping away was the best decision for her long-term health.
The Commonwealth Games are scheduled to take place in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August, with the swimming programme beginning on 24 July, while the Pan Pacific Championships are set to follow in August.
McKeown revealed that what she initially believed to be a bout of influenza was later diagnosed as glandular fever, explaining that she had already been unwell heading into the Australian selection trials and had not recovered since.
She said her biggest concern was that continuing to compete could increase the risk of developing chronic fatigue, making the decision to withdraw a necessary precaution despite the disappointment.
Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor backed McKeown’s decision, praising her for putting her health first.
Taylor noted that her determination was evident in the way she competed at the selection trials despite being unwell, describing McKeown as a once-in-a-generation talent whose competitive spirit has defined her career.
