How triple gold medallist Kaylee McKeown's absence in 400m IM will help US swimmers at the Paris Olympics? All about the crowning of a new champion

During the 2024 Olympic season, Kaylee McKeown registered a spectacular time in the 400m individual medley to set a new Australian record, highlighting her prospects for the event in Paris. However, after a remarkable performance, McKeown opted out of competing in the 400m IM in the French capital.

During the 2024 Australian Championships held in April at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in Southport, McKeown registered a new Australian record in the 400m IM with a noteworthy time of 4:28.22 to defeat Ella Ramsay and Jenna Forrester, who posted 4:36.94 and 4:47.18, respectively.

Her non-attendance at the 400m IM heightens the prospects of the American swimmers to clinch victory. Katie Grimes and Emma Weyant will represent the U.S. Olympic swimming squad in the event after securing the top two places at the Olympic Trials, recording 4:35.00 and 4:35.56, respectively.

McKeown is the only swimmer among the three who has registered a sub 4:30 in the event. Her personal best of 4:28.22 in the 400m IM surpasses the personal best of Grimes (4:32.67) and Weyant (4:32.67) with a huge gap, giving them an edge to clinch the victory in Paris. In April, when asked about her reason for staying out of the event, McKeown said (via "The Guardian")

"Nope – one and done. That’s me.”

McKeown's 4:28.22 time shattered the previous long-standing Australian record set by Stephanie Rice during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, clocking an impressive 4:29.45.

The Aussie has produced a slurry of impressive results in the 400m individual medley and with her not being present, the likes of Grimes and Weyant will fancy their chances.

Weyant won silver at the 400m IM event in Tokyo and she will be eager to go one step further this time in Paris.

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Kaylee McKeown will vie to defend her two titles at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Kaylee McKeown celebrates after winning the gold medal in the Women's 200m Backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics in Japan. (Photo by Getty Images)

Kaylee McKeown secured the spot to compete in the 100m and the 200m backstroke events at the fast-approaching 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Australian swimmer will be seen competing in the event to defend her titles. McKeown dominated the 100m backstroke event at the 2020 Tokyo Games after recording 57.47 seconds to surpass Kylie Masse and Regan Smith.

Moreover, Kaylee McKewon also topped the star-studded lineup of the 200m backstroke event with 2:04:68, defeating Masse and fellow teammate Emily Seebohm, who marked 2:05.42 and 2:06.17, respectively.

The 22-year-old Australian swimmer holds the world record in the 50m and 200m backstroke long course events. The 50m world record 2023 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Budapest with a whopping time of 26.86 and the 200m world record was set at the 2023 NSW State Open Championships with 2:03.14.

Kaylee McKeown dominated the 100m and 200m backstroke events at the 2024 Australian Trials by recording 57.41 and 2:03.30.