Queensland swimmer Kaylee McKeown has broken the world record in the women's 100 metre backstroke on day two of the Australian Olympic swimming trials.
Key points:
- McKeown beat the previous world record by 0.12 seconds
- She said the death of her father last August drove her to succeed
- Emily Seebohm also qualified, with Toyko set to become her fourth Olympic Games
McKeown swam a time of 57:45 to beat the previous world record held by the United States, Regan Smith of 57:57 by more than a tenth of a second.
Emily Seebohm came second to qualify for her fourth Olympic Games.
McKeown's father, Sholto, died last August and McKeown said that drove her to succeed.
"Well, I guess with COVID and the passing of my dad in August last year, it's been a huge, huge build up to these trials and you know I have turned it into a bit of a hunger and motivation behind me," she said.
"I use it every day that I wake up, I know that it's a privilege to be on this Earth and walk and talk.
"So, you know to get up and do that tonight was not only for me but my family and my USC (University of the Sunshine Coast club) and all the support staff as well."
McKeown swam within 0.06 seconds of the world record in Sydney last month, but said she wasn't targeting it at the trials.
"To finally get myself onto that Olympic team is a dream come true, it really is," McKeown said.
"I wouldn't say [the record] was a goal, I'm more of a process-oriented person and it just so happened that I nailed all those little pin-points that we're going for," she said.
Titmus shines as champion nearly breaks a world record herself
World champion Ariarne Titmus came close to breaking the world record in the women's 400m freestyle final.
Her time of 3:56:90 was an Australian record and the second fastest in history.
It's the fastest time since her arch-rival, American superstar Katie Ledecky broke the world record at the Rio Olympic Games.
Titmus says the swim will send a message to Ledecky.
"Well, she's not going to have it all her own way I guess," she said.
Titmus has been battling a shoulder injury for six months, and says she was surprised by the world class time, which beat her previous PB and Australian record by almost two seconds.
"I did not think tonight 3:56 was in my realm, but to do that, the biggest thing is confidence in racing," she said.
"That world record is outstanding and to be close to that this close to the Olympics, I'm very excited."
Titmus said she was very emotional about making her first Olympics.
"I almost started crying just sitting there and I don't even know why but obviously the Olympics is just the pinnacle and it's the one thing that I haven't been able to do," she said.
"I feel like it's been a long wait."
Seebohm in tears as she qualifies for fourth Games
An emotional Emily Seebohm was in tears after qualifying for her fourth games.
"I knew this was going to be super tough to make this team and you know I really wanted to go to a fourth Olympics, you know, that was my dream when I started."
Seebohm said she was motivated by her failure to qualify for 2019 Australian World Championships team.
"A lot of people said that I wasn't going to do it, I was too old, I needed to lose weight, I needed to look different, and I guess I just stuck to my guns and stuck to what I knew what would work best for me.
"Two years ago, I didn't feel comfortable in my togs and to be here and feel comfortable again and to race happy again is such a blessing," Seebohm said.
Chalmers qualifies for 200m free
Rio 100m freestyle gold medallist Kyle Chalmers qualified for Tokyo, winning the 200m freestyle in 1:45:48.
The winner of the 400m freestyle, Elijah Winnington came second and also qualified.
Despite making the individual event, Chalmers first comments after the race were on the chances of the 4x200m freestyle relay team.
"Being part of that relay, the four-by-two guys is probably the best thing that I can look forward to in Tokyo to be honest," Chalmers said.
"I love racing relays and obviously the four by two now, the majority of the guys are what I'd call my best mates."
He said that despite making the 200m freestyle, defending his 100m gold was his main focus.
Mack Horton finished sixth, one day after he missed out on 400m freestyle qualification, but that could be enough for him to gain selection in the relay when the Olympic team is named on Thursday.
He only made the team final after one of fastest heat swimmers, Matt Temple decided to withdraw.
Chalmers said he was shattered to see Horton miss out on qualification for the 400m.
"Mack and I have gone through so many highs and lows together over the last five years, so to see him miss last night but then back up today and then hopefully make that team — we need him in that relay — he's a very, very important cog in that team," Chalmers said.
Chelsea Hodges is on her way to first Olympic Games after winning the women's 100m breaststroke final.
The 19-year old won in 1:05:99 to come one second under the qualifying time.
Jessica Hansen also qualified after coming second and will also be going to her first games.
Veteran, Mitch Larkin is off to his third Olympic Games, after winning the men's 100m backstroke final, but he couldn't have cut it any finer.
Larkin's time of 53:40 was right on the qualifying mark and unusually he swam faster in the heats on Sunday morning.
"I didn't have the cleanest of starts — I kind of went off to the side. I panicked a bit and started rushing."
Larkin chose to swim the 200m individual medley over his pet event — the 200m backstroke and says making the team in the 100m is very important.
"You know I love the 100 as well, it has its own challenges."
His selection means he can now swim in the men's medley and the mixed medley at Tokyo.