Olympic Showdown: Kaylee McKeown vs Regan Smith in Women's Backstroke

Kaylee McKeown has dominated women's backstroke since the Tokyo Olympics, but American Regan Smith poses a significant threat to her reign. Smith, rejuvenated under coach Bob Bowman, set a new 100m world record, challenging McKeown's Olympic double-double quest. Both swimmers will clash at the Paris Games for supremacy.

Kaylee McKeown has ruled the women's backstroke with unyielding dominance since her triumph at the Tokyo Olympics. However, her pursuit of greatness at the upcoming Paris Games faces a formidable challenge from a young American swimmer, Regan Smith.

Smith, a 22-year-old from Minnesota, is expected to be McKeown's fiercest competitor in her attempt to defend her 100 and 200 metres titles and achieve the historic 'double-double.' Under the guidance of coach Bob Bowman, who famously trained Michael Phelps, Smith recently shattered McKeown's 100 metres world record with a time of 57.13 seconds at the U.S. Olympic trials.

This development comes at a crucial moment, just weeks before the Paris Games, and after McKeown narrowly missed her own previous world record at Australia's trials. Smith's resurgent form marks her return to the pinnacle of the sport, setting the stage for an intense battle in the pool. As McKeown channels the memory of her late father for motivation, she remains the competitor to beat, underscoring that the final swim will be anyone's race.

(With inputs from agencies.)