Mollie O’Callaghan and Kaylee McKeown have set new short course world records in the World Cup meet held in Westmont, Illinois, marking the beginning of Australia’s era post-Ariarne Titmus. O’Callaghan, the Olympic 200-meter freestyle champion, secured victory in the same event with a time of 1:49.77 on Saturday, surpassing the previous record set by Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong in 2021.
On the final night of the meet, McKeown triumphed over her fierce competitor Regan Smith in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:57.87, breaking the American’s previous record set at the short course world championships in December. McKeown’s strategic approach in the race differed from her usual tactics, leading from the front and successfully holding off Smith’s challenge to the finish line.
McKeown, aged 24 and a double Olympic gold medalist in the backstroke events, expressed her determination and satisfaction with her performance, crediting Smith for pushing her to her limits. The Australian swimmer currently holds world records in both short and long course formats for the 200 backstroke, while Smith dominates the 100 backstroke records.
The impressive displays by the Australian swimmers follow Ariarne Titmus’s recent retirement announcement at the age of 25. In another remarkable feat, Kate Douglass of the United States claimed a new world record of 50.19 in the 100 freestyle, surpassing Cate Campbell’s previous record from 2017. Douglass, known for her versatility, now holds three short course world records, having previously set records in the 200 individual medley and 200 breaststroke events.
The upcoming third and final meet of the World Cup series is set to take place in Toronto starting from Thursday.