Paris 2024 swimming: All results, as reigning champion Kaylee McKeown races to gold and new Olympic record over Regan Smith in women’s 100m backstroke
In one of the most highly anticipated faceoffs of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the women’s 100m backstroke, Australia’s reigning Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown faced off against the current world record holder Regan Smith, with Katharine Berkoff and Kylie Masse also in the mix.
McKeown powered her way to the gold medal on Tuesday 30 July, defending her Olympic title and setting a new Games record with a time of 57.33.
USA’s Smith was just 0.33 seconds behind to finish in 57.66 for silver.
Between the two, they own the 15 fastest times in the history of the event and the last four world records, so this was a matchup for the ages.
“It feels surreal, to be honest with you, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be any good there tonight," McKeown said after the race. “I didn’t put expectations on myself, I was going to get out and enjoy the atmosphere.
“I knew it was going to come down to the last five metres. We’re [referring to Smith] both extremely good athletes, and both extremely good trainers, so it’s just who feels better on the day, and she pushed me the whole way through. You wait for the race and finish it, and I can’t even remember it now."
Left to right: Silver medallist Regan Smith of USA, gold medallist Kaylee McKeown of Australia and bronze medallist Katharine Berkoff of USA are all smiles after the medal ceremony for the women's 100m backstroke final on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on 30 July 2024 in Nanterre, France.
McKeown etched her name into the history books on Tuesday, joining current team-mate Ariarne Titmus and 1950s and '60s legend Dawn Fraser as the only Australian women to defend their Olympic titles.
Smith shared similar sentiments after the race. “I knew it was going to be such a fight," she said. "Kaylee is an exceptional competitor, and Katharine broke 58 [seconds] this year, so this is the fastest 100 backstroke final ever.
“The thing that is most important is that we [referring to McKeown] are pushing the sport in the right direction. Our rivalry is great for attention in the sport. We have so much respect for each other, and I have so much respect for Katharine as well. It’s a great situation."
The rivalry between the two is apparently only turned on between the buzzer and the finish line, as they were seen chatting and laughing with each other before walking out to take the starting blocks.
Berkoff took the bronze medal with a time of 57.98, making the American an Olympic medallist for the very first time. Her father, David, is a two-time Olympic champion and four-time medallist who also broke the world record in the 100m backstroke three times, the first being at the 1988 US Olympic Trials.
Former world record holder Masse of Canada took fourth place with 58.29, less than one second behind first-place McKeown.
McKeown will have the chance at a double-double later this week, when she will try to defend her title in the 200m backstroke on 2 August.
Swimming: Women's 100m backstroke podium
Gold: Kaylee McKeown, Australia
Silver: Regan Smith, USA
Bronze: Katharine Berkoff, USA