Five-time Olympic backstroke champion Kaylee McKeown has withdrawn from this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being diagnosed with glandular fever.
The 24-year-old Australian, who holds the Olympic, world, and Commonwealth titles in both the 100m and 200m backstroke, will also miss the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in August.
McKeown said she is “gutted to medically withdraw” but described the decision as the right one after her body struggled to fight the illness.
“What I thought a few months ago was the flu has turned out to be my body fighting glandular fever,” McKeown said.
“I was sick going into trials and I just have not got better and I am worried about pushing myself so hard that I end up with chronic fatigue.”
Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor said he respects and supports McKeown’s decision to “prioritise health,” describing her as a “once-in-a-generation athlete.”
The Commonwealth Games run from 23 July to 2 August, with the swimming event starting on 24 July. McKeown’s withdrawal is a significant blow to Australia’s medal hopes in the pool.
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