Kaylee McKeown withdraws from Commonwealth Games

Australian swimming champion Kaylee McKeown has withdrawn from the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships after being diagnosed with glandular fever. The five-time Olympic gold medalist announced her medical withdrawal on July 9, 2026, citing a prolonged illness and the risk of developing chronic fatigue.

McKeown, who turns 25 on July 12, said she had been battling the illness for several months, initially believing it was flu. She competed while sick at Australia's selection trials in early June, dropping the 200-meter individual medley but qualifying in her primary events, the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke. She ultimately decided that pushing through for the major meets posed too great a health risk. "I am gutted to medically withdraw," McKeown said. "What I thought a few months ago was flu has turned out to be my body fighting glandular fever. I was sick going into trials and I have just not got better. I am worried about pushing myself so hard that I end up with chronic fatigue. It was a hard decision to make but the right one."

The Commonwealth Games are scheduled for July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland. McKeown had previously declared this...