Latest news with #MollieOCallaghan
Daily Telegraph
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Kaylee McKeown hits out amid special treatment claim following overturned disqualification at Australian national swimming trials
Don't miss out on the headlines from Swimming. Followed categories will be added to My News. Kaylee McKeown has hit out at claims she is given special treatment in the wake of her dramatic disqualification and then reinstatement at the Australian national swimming trials in Adelaide last week. McKeown – who holds the 50m backstroke world record at 26.86 seconds – was the clear fastest in last Monday's heats of the 50m backstroke but was disqualified over an issue with her start. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. McKeown, who claimed Olympic gold in both the 100m and 200m backstroke at the Paris Olympics, was informed by officials she had broken early, as she was ushered off the pool deck in tears. The ruling seemingly dashed her hopes of competing for a 50m backstroke world championships gold medal later this year. However, the 23-year-old protested the decision and in the end, it was overturned. McKewon was reinstated in the final which she won narrowly over Mollie O'Callaghan, securing her ticket to the world championships in Singapore from July 27 to August 3. You can watch her Australian swim trials victory in the player above. Kaylee McKeown has rejected claims she gets preferential treatment. Image: Getty But in the wake of the ordeal, McKeown was accused of receiving preferential treatment due to her reputation and status in the sport. And in an Instagram post on Monday, McKeown moved to clear up what went down as she rejected the notion there was any sort of favouritism at play. 'I've copped quite a bit of scrutiny over the past week for my DQ in the 50 backstroke,' she wrote. 'I'd just like to clarify that while it was a clear disqualification, I was able to lodge a protest due to movement directly behind my starting block. I followed all the standard procedures for my reinstatement! 'For those who know me well, you'll know I'm all for fair sport and certainly wouldn't have protested if I knew I didn't have a fair case. 'What I'm not for is people tearing others down … at no point was I shown any favouritism.' Kaylee McKeown is the 50m world record holder. (Photo by) After hearing her protest officials ruled in her favour, accepting she had been 'distracted by a movement' on the blocks. 'Things happen and it just crumbled that way,' she continued. 'I knew as soon as I started, what I had done. 'But thankfully we had the technology to look back at footage and saw the distraction and I got reinstated.' McKeown will next compete at the world championships in Singapore which get underway on July 27. Originally published as Kaylee McKeown hits out amid special treatment claim following overturned Aussie swim trials disqualification
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kaylee McKeown hits out amid special treatment claim following overturned Aussie swim trials disqualification
Kaylee McKeown has hit out at claims she is given special treatment in the wake of her dramatic disqualification and then reinstatement at the Australian national swimming trials in Adelaide last week. McKeown – who holds the 50m backstroke world record at 26.86 seconds – was the clear fastest in last Monday's heats of the 50m backstroke but was disqualified over an issue with her start. McKeown, who claimed Olympic gold in both the 100m and 200m backstroke at the Paris Olympics, was informed by officials she had broken early, as she was ushered off the pool deck in tears. The ruling seemingly dashed her hopes of competing for a 50m backstroke world championships gold medal later this year. However, the 23-year-old protested the decision and in the end, it was overturned. McKewon was reinstated in the final which she won narrowly over Mollie O'Callaghan, securing her ticket to the world championships in Singapore from July 27 to August 3. You can watch her Australian swim trials victory in the player above. But in the wake of the ordeal, McKeown was accused of receiving preferential treatment due to her reputation and status in the sport. And in an Instagram post on Monday, McKeown moved to clear up what went down as she rejected the notion there was any sort of favouritism at play. 'I've copped quite a bit of scrutiny over the past week for my DQ in the 50 backstroke,' she wrote. 'I'd just like to clarify that while it was a clear disqualification, I was able to lodge a protest due to movement directly behind my starting block. I followed all the standard procedures for my reinstatement! 'For those who know me well, you'll know I'm all for fair sport and certainly wouldn't have protested if I knew I didn't have a fair case. 'What I'm not for is people tearing others down … at no point was I shown any favouritism.' After hearing her protest officials ruled in her favour, accepting she had been 'distracted by a movement' on the blocks. 'Things happen and it just crumbled that way,' she continued. 'I knew as soon as I started, what I had done. 'But thankfully we had the technology to look back at footage and saw the distraction and I got reinstated.' McKeown will next compete at the world championships in Singapore which get underway on July 27.
Daily Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Mollie O'Callaghan stuns in 100m final at Australian swim trials
Don't miss out on the headlines from Swimming. Followed categories will be added to My News. Champion swimmer Mollie O'Callaghan has made a major statement with a spectacular time in the 100m freestyle final of the Australian trials. The 21-year-old, who won Olympic gold in Paris for the 200m freestyle and finished fourth in the 100m race, was unstoppable as she swam a time of 52.87 seconds to add to her Singapore World Championships schedule. She was happy with her swim despite a challenging period of preparation. 'This is probably my fourth 100m of the season for freestyle and it was definitely a tough one,' she said. 'I probably have to be a bit nicer on myself to get to this point. 'I think when you're at your weakest it's always worth it to step up.' O'Callaghan had experienced a challenging time after Paris and leading into the trials, revealing she struggled with her mental health after coming down from the highs of the Olympics. Mollie O'Callaghan on her way to a blistering time in the 100m final. 'I've had a rough past couple months, it was really stressful for me,' she said. 'There hasn't been anything as hard as this, coming back and trying to race after the Olympics. 'I have had a lot of pressure on myself to get to this point and to make the team, especially in the 200 freestyle — I put a lot of pressure on myself. 'Externally, people expect a lot of me but they don't see the work that goes behind it and what I've been through.' The 100m result is O'Callaghan's second major triumph at the trials after she also took out the 200m freestyle final with an impressive 1:54.43 time, ahead of St Peters Western squad mate Lani Pallister in second. With the weight of making the team for the World Championships now off of her shoulders, O'Callaghan said she was looking forward to enjoying herself in Singapore alongside her teammates. 'Dean (Boxall) and I have spoken about it this year, there have been some curveballs thrown at me but it's now about having fun,' she said. 'I think making the team and having that pressure taken off, just to go race, meet new people, enjoy myself and train alongside my buddies in this team – that's the whole purpose of this.' STUBBELTY-COOK AIMS HIGHER AFTER TRIALS BLITZ Paris Olympics silver medallist Zac Stubblety-Cook said his best swim was still in him after booking a spot in next month's World Championships with a strong 200m breaststroke swim in the Australian trials final. The 26-year-old, who in the lead up to the trials had still been recovering from setbacks stemming from a neck fracture suffered before the 2024 Olympics, produced a dominant display to take first place with ease in Adelaide. Now training under renowned breaststroke coach Mel Marshall, Stubblety-Cook said he was feeling as confident as ever ahead of next month's world champs. 'I'm reasonably happy with the performance,' he said. 'Mel and I just wanted to step through this, so I can't really complain — there is a lot of work to do in the next five weeks for Singapore. Zac Stubblety-Cook during the final. 'To get back on the team and move toward the World Championships is really exciting and I think I'm a lot more confident.' Stubblety-Cook said he had evolved significantly since beginning training with Marshall ahead of the national trials. Not only have his injuries improved, but believed he had also improved psychologically with his ability to remain calm and composed ahead of competition. 'We're doing a few different things under her (Mel), she's been really good at managing the injury I've had…I wouldn't be here without her. 'I think the last eight years, I've been that younger and hungry athlete but last year I had some time to reflect and figure out my approach and what I wanted to commit to for the next four years. 'The way Mel put it to me, you go from being capable and hungry but mentally not knowing how to do it, then you swap that over and you start thinking about and trusting the process more. 'For me, my best swim is still in me, so I'm still chasing that and I think that's the goal over the next three years, and just to get better and better each year.' Sam Short in the water at the Paris Olympics. SHORT STAMPS HIS AUTHORITY TO HOLD OFF RISING STAR Rejuvenated swimmer Sam Short has added to a strong showing in the Australian trials ahead of the July World Championships with a narrow 1500m freestyle final win. The 21-year-old just finished ahead of emerging young gun Ben Goedemans with a 14:53.43 time, with Goedemans settling for second at 14:53.99. With multiple personal bests and the 400m final win already under his belt, Short's triumph on Friday night in Adelaide only adds to his bragging rights. 'I felt really good until the last 500 metres and then just went downhill a bit physically,' he said. 'I just wanted to get my hand on the wall first so I'm happy I did...I have a lot to improve on for the World Championships.' For Goedemans, his performance also adds to what has been a rewarding national trials, the St Peters Western swimmer already fulfilling his dream of making a senior Dolphins team with his win in the 800m freestyle. He said he had experienced major improvements under Dean Boxall. 'I was definitely after a race like that after some personal bests at nationals,' he said. 'Dean has really helped me, I wasn't this fast before being under him.' Originally published as Mollie O'Callaghan stuns in 100m final at Australian swim trials
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Mollie O'Callaghan stuns in 100m final at Australian swim trials
Champion swimmer Mollie O'Callaghan has made a major statement with a spectacular time in the 100m freestyle final of the Australian trials. The 21-year-old, who won Olympic gold in Paris for the 200m freestyle and finished fourth in the 100m race, was unstoppable as she swam a time of 52.87 seconds to add to her Singapore World Championships schedule. She was happy with her swim despite a challenging period of preparation. 'This is probably my fourth 100m of the season for freestyle and it was definitely a tough one,' she said. 'I probably have to be a bit nicer on myself to get to this point. 'I think when you're at your weakest it's always worth it to step up.' O'Callaghan had experienced a challenging time after Paris and leading into the trials, revealing she struggled with her mental health after coming down from the highs of the Olympics. 'I've had a rough past couple months, it was really stressful for me,' she said. 'There hasn't been anything as hard as this, coming back and trying to race after the Olympics. 'I have had a lot of pressure on myself to get to this point and to make the team, especially in the 200 freestyle — I put a lot of pressure on myself. 'Externally, people expect a lot of me but they don't see the work that goes behind it and what I've been through.' The 100m result is O'Callaghan's second major triumph at the trials after she also took out the 200m freestyle final with an impressive 1:54.43 time, ahead of St Peters Western squad mate Lani Pallister in second. With the weight of making the team for the World Championships now off of her shoulders, O'Callaghan said she was looking forward to enjoying herself in Singapore alongside her teammates. 'Dean (Boxall) and I have spoken about it this year, there have been some curveballs thrown at me but it's now about having fun,' she said. 'I think making the team and having that pressure taken off, just to go race, meet new people, enjoy myself and train alongside my buddies in this team – that's the whole purpose of this.'
ABC News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Cate Campbell says lack of pay contributes to swimmers' mental health struggles after Mollie O'Callaghan's teary admission
Australian swimming legend Cate Campbell says a lack of funding is partly to blame for many of the sport's stars struggling with mental health issues. Campbell's comments come after five-time Olympic gold medallist Mollie O'Callaghan broke down at the Australian swimming trials when discussing the weight of expectation she faces coming into meets. O'Callaghan is one of several swimmers who have found it tough to back up after starring at the Paris Olympics last year. Unlike athletes in most sports, swimmers make almost all their income from sponsorships. While the sport's top stars can make significant amounts through endorsements, others struggle to make ends meet and therefore are required to compete more often, leading to burnout. "We do not pay these athletes enough," Campbell told ABC Sport Daily. "We do not pay them enough for them to be able to sit back and relax in between their training sessions. "We have athletes who are working and studying, trying to make ends meet. That grind is relentless, so, when you come to the end of a four-year cycle and you're facing the prospect of another one, it's no wonder you're exhausted, it's no wonder you're burnt out. "Then you know you have to go and compete and be the best in the world if you want to be able to afford your mortgage, if you want to be able to afford your rent. "These athletes are being paid tens of thousands of dollars, not hundreds of thousands, not millions, to be the best in the world. It is exhausting and what you are seeing is the toll that it's taking on them." Campbell, who notched eight medals across four separate Olympic campaigns, said the sport had always been rife with athletes who struggled mentally. "It's always been this bad. I think people are just feeling safe and empowered enough to talk about it," she said. "It has always been a challenge. It has always been exhausting, but it was something that wasn't spoken about and wasn't acknowledged, and that is why we saw people retire (prematurely)." Campbell used the retirement of legendary swimmer Ian Thorpe at just 24 as a prime example of a swimmer retiring early due to the stresses surrounding the sport. Campbell suggested she would like to see backing of swimmers come from "corporate Australia". "Once every four years these athletes make everyone proud to be Australian, and yet in the years in between, the years where we're competing at a World Championships or a Commonwealth Games, that support and that focus drops off," she said. "I would love to see corporate Australia step up and be able to pay these athletes what they're worth through personal sponsorships, but even that goes to your top two per cent of your athletes. "I would love to see some more support for the sport more broadly so we can have grassroots programs coming through. "It is difficult. It is challenging. We're not on TV every week like the NRL or AFL. We're on TV once every four years where everyone is switched on, but we do have competitions in between now and then. "We want to bring swimming back to being one of the premier sports. "When I was a little kid, I can remember watching the World Championships every year because it was on a free-to-air broadcast, so we need that to continue." The Australian swimming trials will conclude in Adelaide on Saturday.
