By Madeline Folsom on SwimSwam
Australian superstar and world record holder Kaylee McKeown has confirmed that she will not be racing internationally for the remainder of 2026.
McKeown had a strong showing at the 2026 Australian Trials before she withdrew from the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs due to glandular fever, also known as mononucleosis.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, most acute symptoms of glandular fever improve in about a month, but other symptoms like fatigue can linger for months. One of the symptoms is an enlarged spleen, and strenuous exercise can cause the spleen to rupture, which is a life-threatening emergency.
McKeown told 9 News in Australia that she is currently limited to just three training sessions a week, and that she has struggled to be patient with her recovery. Despite her struggles, though, she will need to push her international return back further, missing the Short Course World Championships in Beijing this December.
She also discussed watching this summer’s meets from the sidelines, saying, “I definitely had a lot of FOMO not being at the facilities, racing, and competing.”
“I’m not in a position to even be close to being able to put my best foot forward.”
While McKeown was recovering, Italy’s Sara Curtis blasted a massive world record swim in the 50 backstroke, stopping the clock in 26.56 in the final at the European Championships to take three-tenths off McKeown’s 2023 record time of 26.86.
McKeown said, “That’s just sport. You’re never going to be the top dog for your whole career. It’s inevitable, and I’ve just got to be okay with that.”
She did confirm her goals for the 2028 Olympic Games, stating “I would love to go and do a three-peat (50/100/200 back), but at the end of the day, if it doesn’t happen, I don’t have control over that.”
“My goal is to go to the Olympics and win three gold medals, but my second goal is just to get there and have my family watch me swim potentially for the last time.”
McKeown has gone back and forth on trying for the 2032 Olympics, which will be on home soil for her in Brisbane. She said at the beginning of July that she would like the opportunity to race on home soil before revealing on a podcast a few weeks later that she has been dealing with endometriosis, which could affect her ability to have children and that she has to balance that desire with her desire to compete.
McKeown also did not race at the 2024 Short Course World Championships, needing a break after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Kaylee McKeown Will Not Race At 2026 World Cup or Short Course Worlds
Hence then, the article about kaylee mckeown will not race at 2026 world cup or short course worlds was published today ( ) and is available on swimswam ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Kaylee McKeown Will Not Race At 2026 World Cup or Short Course Worlds )
Also on site :