McKeown Reinstated After Disqualification at Swim Trials

Kaylee McKeown, initially disqualified for a false start in the 50m backstroke heats at the Australian Swimming Trials, was reinstated after a successful appeal and will compete in the final. Video evidence had supported the original ruling, but McKeown argued she was distracted by movement before the start. She qualified fastest for the final with a time of 27.27 seconds, narrowly ahead of Mollie O’Callaghan. Both swimmers finished under the qualifying times for the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. The incident has drawn comparisons to previous high-profile disqualifications at Australian trials, emphasizing the intense scrutiny on elite athletes. Elsewhere at the trials, Lani Pallister led the 400m freestyle qualifiers.