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Choosing to step away from competition was not easy for Redcliffe swimming star Kaylee McKeown, but the Olympic champion says it was the right decision as she focuses on returning to full health. While illness has kept her out of this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Australia’s Dolphins have begun the campaign strongly with several standout performances on the opening night.
Read: Kaylee McKeown Opens Up About Endometriosis and Future Family Plans
The five-time Olympic gold medallist recently confirmed she has glandular fever after initially believing she was recovering from the flu. McKeown said she had been unwell heading into the Australian selection trials and had not recovered as expected. Concerned that pushing through the illness could lead to chronic fatigue, she decided, with the support of Swimming Australia, to withdraw from both the Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
McKeown has embraced her recovery with characteristic good humour, sharing regular updates with supporters. In a recent social media post, she joked that her unexpected break from racing was giving her the chance to become an “elite rester” while documenting her recovery and inviting followers to keep up with her progress on TikTok.
@kaylee.mckeown Anything to feel better
♬ The Southern Darkness (STEM beat) – Sounds of Red Bull / BMGPM
The update came only weeks after McKeown spoke publicly about living with endometriosis and the condition’s impact beyond the pool. She discussed how it has influenced her long-term plans, including her hopes of starting a family in the future.
Dolphins Deliver Statement Performances
Australia’s Dolphins made a strong start to the Commonwealth Games, combining expected victories with breakthrough performances.
Lani Pallister lived up to expectations in the women’s 400m freestyle, claiming the Commonwealth title to add another major international achievement to her career.
One of the night’s biggest surprises came in the women’s 100m backstroke, where Jenna Forrester stunned both the crowd and herself by taking gold. Better known internationally as a freestyle swimmer, Forrester produced a personal best before later admitting she had not expected to stand on top of the podium.
Australia’s strength across the team was also evident in the men’s 100m breaststroke. Sam Williamson qualified second fastest for the final behind England’s Adam Peaty, while Olympic champion Zac Stubblety-Cook secured his place in the Day Two final after posting the fifth-fastest semi-final time.
Alex Perkins also set the fastest semi-final time in the women’s 50m butterfly, ensuring another Australian will enter a final as the top qualifier.
Read: Redcliffe-Born McKeown Wins 100m Backstroke Gold at Worlds
The performances gave the Dolphins an encouraging start to the meet and highlighted the depth of Australia’s swimming squad despite McKeown’s absence through illness.
Although McKeown is not competing in Glasgow, her focus remains on regaining full fitness before returning to the international stage. Her decision to prioritise long-term health reflects a focus on returning to competition only when she has fully recovered.
Published 25-July-2026
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