PARIS: Australia's Kaylee McKeown admitted Friday that "not in a million years" could she have dreamed of completing the Olympic backstroke double – twice.
The 23-year-old achieved the rare feat by retaining her 200m title in an Olympic record 2min 03.73sec ahead of American Regan Smith (2:04.26) and Canada's Kylie Masse (2:05.57).
It followed her winning the 100m gold to match her exploits from Tokyo, with the unassuming swimmer flawless over two Olympics with four golds from four individual events.
No Australian swimmer, man or woman, had ever completed the 100-200 backstroke double at consecutive Olympics.
"Not in a million years," she said in Paris, asked if she had ever envisaged such an accomplishment.
"Growing up, I've always just idolised my sister (Taylor) and Emily Seebohm and seeing what they do in the sport," she said.
"And then training alongside Emma McKeon as well, one of the greats in the sport, and being friends with Mollie (O'Callaghan).
"I couldn't ask for much more to be honest with you, having that motivation and seeing those girls, not just the Aussie girls, but the whole world in female sports has been unreal this year.
"It's just great to be a part of that," she added.
McKeown's older sister Taylor was a breaststroker and relay swimmer who won a silver at the Rio Olympics. Seebohm is a three-time Olympic relay gold medallist and five-time world champion.
World record holder McKeown was third at the halfway mark behind Smith and Masse but came home strongly in the sixth-fastest time ever.
"I'm not one who gets overly nervous, probably more anxious than anything. I went out hard and just held on for dear life," said the Australian.
It was another psychological blow to arch-rival Smith, who she also beat to gold in the 100m.
The pair enjoy a storied rivalry, exchanging world records across both backstroke disciplines, but it is McKeown who has risen to the top again in Paris.
"It feels really great, I put together a really good swim," said Smith, who was content with silver.
"I think if I'd gotten a silver medal and been a second slower, I would have been really disappointed in myself.
"That's one of my fastest times ever, and I really gave Kaylee a run for her money.
"I made things close and exciting. I'm thrilled with it." - AFP