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Redcliffe-born Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown has revealed she has endometriosis, shedding light on the chronic condition after withdrawing from Australia’s Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships teams.
Read: Redcliffe-Born McKeown Wins 100m Backstroke Gold at Worlds
In an Instagram post announcing her decision, McKeown wrote: “Unfortunately I’ve had to pull the pin on Comm Games and Pan Pacs. Not exactly ideal, but LA28 is the big picture and I’d rather have myself sorted by then.”
The 25-year-old, who was born in Redcliffe and raised in nearby Caboolture before relocating to the Sunshine Coast, also spoke about her diagnosis on the Something To Talk About podcast. McKeown, who now trains with the USC Spartans squad at the University of the Sunshine Coast, explained that living with the condition has forced her to think carefully about balancing an elite sporting career with her long-term goal of starting a family with partner Declan Watson.
Looking Beyond Los Angeles
Speaking on the podcast, McKeown said conversations with her specialist had highlighted the challenges of planning for a family while continuing to compete at the highest level. She explained that freezing her eggs had been suggested, but the hormone treatment involved was not something she could undertake while actively competing because of anti-doping requirements.
McKeown said her priority after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games would be creating a life outside swimming with Watson, including getting married and having children. While McKeown has previously said she hopes to compete at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, she said any return after Los Angeles will depend on how her plans to start a family unfold.
The announcement came weeks after McKeown withdrew from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Pan Pacific Championships in California. Addressing supporters on Instagram, she also wrote: “So, for now, I’ll be M.I.A. I promise I’ll be back when my body lets me.”
Although she plans to take a break after Los Angeles, McKeown suggested motherhood would not necessarily mark the end of her swimming career. Instead, she said she would assess whether a return to competition is possible once she has achieved the personal milestones that matter most to her.
Understanding Endometriosis
According to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It affects at least one in seven girls, women and people assigned female at birth in Australia.
Symptoms can include abdominal pain, heavy periods, fatigue, bloating and infertility, although they vary from person to person. The condition can begin during puberty and continue throughout adulthood. While there is currently no cure, a range of treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Because symptoms vary between individuals, endometriosis can be difficult to diagnose, making greater awareness an important part of encouraging earlier assessment and treatment.
A Champion Inspiring Beyond Sport
McKeown is one of Australia’s most successful swimmers, becoming the first woman to successfully defend both the Olympic 100 metre and 200 metre backstroke titles after winning gold in Tokyo and Paris. She is also the world record holder in the 50 metre and 200 metre backstroke and has claimed multiple world championship titles throughout her career.
Her decision to publicly discuss endometriosis places her among a number of elite athletes who have shared their experiences with chronic health conditions.
Read: Olympics Latest: Redcliffe’s Kaylee McKeown Sets New Record
Her comments have drawn attention to endometriosis, a condition that affects at least one in seven girls, women and people assigned female at birth in Australia.
McKeown remains one of the Redcliffe region’s most accomplished sporting exports. Her latest revelation highlights that elite athletes can also live with invisible health conditions, contributing to broader public awareness of endometriosis.
Published 22-July-2026
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