The 2017 World Championships marked the first time Kaylee McKeown and Regan Smith faced off, with Smith at 15 and McKeown at 16. Neither secured a medal that night, but it was the beginning of a fierce rivalry in the backstroke events.
The Rise of a Rivalry
Regan Smith was the first to break world records, setting new marks in both the 200 and 100 backstroke at the 2019 World Championships. However, McKeown emerged victorious in both events on the Olympic stage. At the previous year’s World Championships, McKeown dominated all three backstroke races, each time edging out Smith. Yet, at the U.S. Olympic Trials last month, Smith reclaimed the 100 backstroke world record with a spectacular performance. McKeown, not surprised, saw it as further motivation for the Paris Olympics.
“One of my favorite sayings is, ‘world records are meant to be broken,’ and that’s what I was expecting after our Trials,” McKeown said. “She’s been in form all year. Having that, it’s been an extra motivation for me in these Olympics, but it’s never been something I’ve put all my focus into.”
Paris Showdown: McKeown vs. Smith
In Paris, McKeown and Smith were anticipated to face each other in two gold-medal finals, with the 100-meter backstroke as the first. Both swimmers took center lanes—Smith in lane four and McKeown in lane five.
The race was tightly contested. At the halfway mark, Smith and Canada’s Kylie Masse both turned at 28.02, just eight hundredths off world-record pace, with McKeown and the USA’s Katharine Berkoff close behind. Smith’s powerful underwater dolphin kicks gave her a slight edge, but McKeown was poised to strike.
In previous major finals, Smith often led early, only for McKeown to stage a comeback. At the U.S. Trials, Smith nearly matched McKeown’s split on the second length, missing by just one hundredth. This time, McKeown stayed close enough to capitalize.
The Final Stretch
In the last 15 meters, the race for medals became clear. Berkoff and Smith both fell behind as McKeown touched the wall in 57.33, tying her best time, which had been the world record until the previous month and remains the Australian, Commonwealth, and Oceanic records.
“It feels surreal to be honest with you, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be any good there tonight. I didn’t put expectations on myself, I was going to get out and enjoy the atmosphere, and that’s the best you can do for yourself,” McKeown said. “I knew it was going to come down to the last five meters. We’re both extremely good athletes, and both extremely good trainers, so it’s just who feels better on the day, and she pushed me the whole way through.”
Smith secured second place in 57.66, earning her fourth Olympic medal and third silver, while Berkoff took bronze with a time of 57.98. These medals were significant milestones, being the 598th and 599th for the United States in swimming, bringing the country’s total to 3,000 when combining Summer and Winter Games.
Masse, who had won bronze in 2016 and silver in 2021, just missed the podium, finishing fourth in 58.29. Australia’s Iona Anderson was the only other swimmer to break 59 seconds, finishing in 58.98. Despite not breaking her world record, Smith was proud of her performance.
“I’ve been saying the entire time I was here, ‘Good, better best,’ and that’s exactly what I did,” Smith said. “Ultimately, other people’s performances are completely out of my control, and Kaylee, she’s one of one. She is an absolutely incredible racer, and she knows what to do when it matters.”
Berkoff’s Family Legacy
Berkoff’s first Olympic medal made her the second in her family to reach the podium in this event. Her father, David Berkoff, won silver in the 100 back in 1988 and bronze in 1992. Thirty-two years to the day later, his daughter matched his achievement.
“It’s just super special. I’ve been dreaming of being at the Olympics for my whole life. I definitely have more goals and not quite satisfied yet, but seriously, so grateful to be here and get another medal for Team USA. It’s been such an amazing experience here, and I’m so grateful to be here,” Berkoff said.
An Australian Legend
McKeown became only the second woman to defend Olympic gold in the 100 backstroke, following Natalie Coughlin’s wins in 2004 and 2008. She also aimed to become the second Australian woman to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in an individual swimming event. Ariarne Titmus joined this elite group earlier in the week, following Dawn Fraser’s three consecutive 100 freestyle crowns from 1956 to 1964. The victory also made McKeown the third Australian to have three individual Olympic gold medals in their career.
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After receiving her gold medal, McKeown reunited with her mother, Sharon, and sister, Taylor, a former national team swimmer. Unlike the Tokyo Olympics, where her family had to watch from home due to COVID-19 restrictions, they were poolside this time.
“My mom didn’t really have words. My sister kind of let a bit of an F-bomb slide out,” McKeown said. “I expect that from my family. It’s amazing having them in the stands, people who have put you in position to be able to fulfill your dreams.”
The Influence of Coach Michael Bohl
McKeown credited her success to her coach, Michael Bohl, a veteran of six Olympics. She praised his calm and relaxed demeanor, which complements her anxious nature.
“Bohly has got to be one of my favorite people in the world,” McKeown said. “He’s so relaxed, so calm, and me being such an anxious person, it’s a perfect combination. He can see it in my eyes when I’m getting too far ahead of myself, and he goes, ‘Kaylee, just relax.’ Honestly, it’s the most soothing thing.”
Pushing Each Other to New Heights
Over the past five years, Smith and McKeown have pushed the 100 backstroke to new heights. The ban on full-body polyurethane suits led to small drops in the world record, from 58.12 to 58.00, until Smith became the first woman to break 58 seconds at the 2019 Worlds. McKeown then lowered the record to 57.47, and later to 57.33. At the U.S. Olympic Trials, Smith set the latest world mark.
Smith and McKeown have consistently delivered world-class performances, with the top-15 times in history split between them—nine by McKeown and six by Smith. Their Olympic final performances further solidified their dominance, making it the top-17 times.
Despite living on opposite sides of the world, McKeown and Smith maintain a respectful relationship. Smith shared that McKeown congratulated her via Instagram after she broke the record. Their ongoing rivalry has become a highlight of international meets.
“I think Regan pushes me to the best of my abilities, and I do the same for her,” McKeown said. “We had a special moment after the race, I don’t know if you guys saw, just thanking one another because I wouldn’t be the athlete I am if it wasn’t for her. I couldn’t say ‘thank you’ enough to the people who push me every single day and keep me determined to keep on pushing.”
Smith added, “I want to call it a rivalry because we have traded world records and things like that, but she’s always good at getting it done when it matters, so I want to give her the credit where it’s due. With all that said, I’m incredibly proud that we have really solidified ourselves as the two fastest women in backstroke history, and that’s really special to be a part of. She’s a great racer and a very genuine and respectful person, and I think we have a really great relationship.”
The competition between McKeown and Smith is set to continue with the 200 back and the women’s 400 medley relay, and possibly the mixed 400 medley relay. While McKeown claimed the gold in the 100 backstroke, Smith’s journey in Paris is far from over.
