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Fukuoka: Triple Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown has expressed her frustration after being disqualified in the women’s 200 metres individual medley on Sunday night, saying she wants to give a big “f— you” in her upcoming events at the world swimming championships.
McKeown was one of the favourites before the race and thought she had qualified for Monday night’s final after a solid semi-final swim.
After the race, McKeown stopped for a brief interview with Channel Nine, which never went to air, before walking past other television cameras on pool deck. It was there McKeown realised she, along with two other swimmers, had been disqualified.
Officials spotted an issue during McKeown’s turn at the wall when she was coming out of her backstroke leg.
Rules state that swimmers must not roll past 90 degrees onto their stomach as they begin the breaststroke lap.
Speaking after her 100m backstroke heat on Monday morning, McKeown was scathing of the decision.
“I didn’t see my turn last night but when I saw it this morning I thought it was completely unfair … shit happens,” McKeown said. “We have footage and other angles that say otherwise to what the officials saw. You’ve got to go with what they’re saying. That’s the rules and I broke the rules, apparently. I can’t do much about that.
“Unfortunately, some people get dealt a bad hand. It’s a matter of trying to flip it into a positive and give a big ‘f— you’.”
Australia’s head coach Rohan Taylor was also unhappy with the decision.
“I disagree 100 per cent. I don’t think it’s definitive. They said they’re standing by it. She’s fine. We’re onto the next thing,” he said.
Kaylee McKeown reacts to her disqualification after the semi-finals of the women’s 200m individual medley.Credit: Getty
McKeown said it had been an emotional opening day of competition, given she was hotly favoured to win a gold medal in the event after Canadian star Summer McIntosh pulled out.
McKeown still has 100m and 200m backstroke races to come. She is the world record holder in both.
“I did have a little bit of a cry this morning,” McKeown said. “It probably hit me more this morning but it’s good to come out and blow the cobwebs off.
“I wouldn’t say it’s out of my mind. The more swims I get through, the more confident I’ll get again. I can’t really waste time. There are Americans coming left, right and centre. I’ve got to put my best foot forward and see where that gets me over the next two days.
“I wouldn’t say it changes a whole lot. It’s more just a learning. It’s better this year than next. A world championship is a stepping stone to the big goal at an Olympic Games.
“If I get on the podium or don’t … everything’s a learning and if you’re not learning, you’re not growing.”
Watch the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka live on Channel Nine & 9Now.
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