It is not the first time McKeown has been disqualified at a major swimming meet. At the 2023 world championships in Japan, McKeown was disqualified for an illegal turn in a semi-final of her 200m individual medley event.
There is still a way that McKeown could swim the 50m backstroke event at the world championships.
Australia can take two swimmers in the 50m backstroke event, with the final being contested on Monday night. McKeownโs only hope would be if two swimmers donโt go under the Swimming Australia qualifying time of 27.74 seconds.
In Mondayโs heats, Mollie OโCallaghan went under that time (27.72) but Hannah Fredericks (28.21) was slightly slower, despite recording a personal best.
If only one swimmer went under the qualifying time in the 50m backstroke and McKeown qualified through another event, like the 100m or 200m backstroke, team officials could slot her into the 50m backstroke event at the world championships.
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