Sawt Falasteen - Australia's McKeown vows to reclaim backstroke world records

The Australian reigning Olympic and world 100m and 200m backstroke champion has been sidelined with glandular fever and a broken wrist.

She missed the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships and could only watch as Italian teenager Sara Curtis twice broke her three-year-old 50m record at the European Championships in Paris this month.

"I've had some of my records taken from me, I'd like to reclaim them," McKeown told broadcaster ABC after Curtis lowered the mark to 26.56 seconds.

"I can hold onto my medals, but world records are meant to be broken."

While McKeown still holds the 200m backstroke world record, American Regan Smith broke her 100m mark in 2024.

Widely considered the greatest backstroker of all time, the Australian admitted she had "a lot of work to do", but was up for the challenge.

"The fact that I'm able to chase somebody now and not be the chased is something I really relish," said the 25-year-old, adding that being sidelined had "lit a fire in my belly".

McKeown said it had been a slow recovery from glandular fever but she was back training with her focus on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

She also has her eye on the 2032 Games on home territory, using Swedish sprint and butterfly legend Sarah Sjostrom for inspiration.

"It's different swimming 50m strokes, to 200 or 400 metre, so I'll definitely reassess after LA and hopefully get on track with my life outside the pool (then)," she said.

"(Sjostrom) had a kid and she's back and on top of the world, so if I can do that I will definitely be at Brisbane 2032."

H.Nasr--SF-PST