McKeown and Wiffen shine in Paris pool as records fall
Kaylee McKeown secured consecutive gold in the women’s 100m backstroke, while Daniel Wiffen made history as the first Irishman to win a swimming gold with his 800m freestyle triumph at the Paris Games on Tuesday.
Great Britain also celebrated as their men’s team defended the 4x200m freestyle relay title with a decisive victory.
Australia’s women continued their dominance at La Defense Arena. McKeown triumphed over world record holder Regan Smith in a highly anticipated showdown. “It’s been an awesome few days watching all the Aussies get up and race so I just had to put my best foot forward tonight,” McKeown said. She now boasts four Olympic golds and aims for another in the 200m backstroke.
Smith, who set a world record at the US trials, led at the 50-meter mark. However, McKeown surged in the final 30 meters to win with an Olympic record time of 57.33 seconds, 0.33 seconds ahead of Smith. “Ultimately, I think other people’s performances are completely out of my control and Kaylee is… one on one, she is an absolutely incredible racer,” said Smith. Katharine Berkoff claimed bronze.
Wiffen’s victory in the 800m freestyle was emotional, setting a new Olympic record of 7:38.19. “I don’t normally cry… it’s just crazy that it was me standing on a number one podium,” he said. Wiffen plans to compete in the 1,500m and 10km open water race in the River Seine.
In the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, Duncan Scott anchored Great Britain to victory, clocking 6:59.43. The same team won gold in Tokyo, bettering their silver from Rio 2016.
In a surprise, world record holder Qin Haiyang of China failed to qualify for the men’s 200m breaststroke final.
(Source: AFP)
