United States superfish Regan Smith has set the scene for a mouthwatering Olympic duel with Australian champion Kaylee McKeown by taking down her rival’s world record in the 100m backstroke.
Smith produced a blistering swim at the United States’ Paris 2024 trials on Wednesday morning (AEST), clocking 57.13 seconds to shatter McKeown’s world record of 57.33.
Smith had given McKeown a scare at the trials a day earlier, stopping the clock at 57.47 in a rapid semi-final swim.
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“It was part of the plan,” Smith said on the NBC coverage.
“I am so proud of myself. We’re gonna take a couple of minutes here to be really proud of what I accomplished and then it’s back to work. I’ve got more things that I want to accomplish this week.”
McKeown swam a time of 57.41 at Australia’s Paris 2024 trials in Brisbane last week.
“I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit disappointed with that,” McKeown said on the Nine broadcast.
“There is always room for improvement. My training has shown otherwise, but I booked the ticket to Paris, so that’s just a chance to go faster.
“It’s so hard when people ask [for my] goal time. For me, it’s not necessarily a goal time; it’s the execution for the time.
“I was happy with it. I’ll see what the coach says.”
Asked if she wanted Smith to swim fast at the United States’ trials, McKeown’s response was emphatic.
“Absolutely,” said the Sunshine Coast product.
“I don’t want to go to the Olympics and not be challenged. That’s what I’m going in for and that’s what everyone is going in for.”
McKeown, 22, won gold in the 100m backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, while Smith collected bronze. McKeown also took victory at last year’s world championships in Fukuoka, consigning Smith to silver.
McKeown is also the reigning Olympic gold medallist in the 200m backstroke, and won the 200m backstroke crown at last year’s world championships. Smith didn’t contest the 200m backstroke in Tokyo, but won silver in the event at last year’s world titles.
The swimming world is now waiting feverishly to see if Smith can claim McKeown’s 200m backstroke world record at the trials, which stands at 2:03.14.