Day 2 Aussie Open Champs: One-and-done McKeown shatters Aussie record

NIGHT TWO of the 2024 Australian Open Championships on the Gold Coast saw Kaylee McKeown fire off the best 400m IM time of her career, and promptly say au revoir to the event.

McKeown, pictured, had just registered the fastest 400 IM time this year and broken Stephanie Rice’s national record but was adamant:  “Nope. One and done. That’s me,” McKeown said.

The 22-year-old touched in 4:28.22, the fastest time recorded this year.

McKeown, who is keen to add the 200m individual medley to her backstroke schedule in Paris, paid tribute to Rice after breaking another of her Australian records.

“She’s a legend of the sport and always will be,” said McKeown, who holds the world record in the women’s 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke.

“I’m coached by the same coach (Michael Bohl), and he knows what he’s doing.”

Night Two of finals also saw:

• Lizzy Dekkers, 19, fire off an All Comers record to win the 200m gold. Dekkers stopped the clock at 2:05.20, a PB.
• With reigning world record holder McKeown dropping the 100m back, Mollie O’Callaghan fired off a 58.09 – a PB – to win gold.
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  Flynn Southam (1:46.11) caught Elijah Winnington (1:46.46)to win the 200m freestyle, Tommy O’Neill third (1:46.6). Kyle Chalmers had pulled out of the heats.

• Good mates Shayna Jack and Meg Harris tied for first in the 50m freestyle (both 24.28) – for Harris it was another PB in a strong meet.
• Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Zac Stubblety-Cook (2:07.5) surged home in the final lap to win the 200m breaststroke.
• Sam Short won the 1500m in 15:03.25 – just 24 hours after setting the second-fastest 400m time in the world this year – and will back up for the 800m on Friday.

> Live results can be found at: https://liveresults.swimming.org.au/sal/2024Opens/

> Heats start at 10am; finals 6pm – tickets for all sessions from Ticketek.

> Every race will be available to stream live and free on 9NOW.