Kaylee McKeown wins GOLD at Olympics: Australian swimming power gives nation much-needed boost after day to forget in Paris

Kaylee McKeown defended her Olympic title and won gold again in a thrilling 100m backstroke final in Paris.

On a day when the women’s rugby sevens team and clay pigeon shooter James Willett saw their medal hopes dwindle, McKeown remained calm in a fiercely fought race to take the top prize.

The 23-year-old defeated American world record holder Regan Smith in the final.

McKeown won in 57.33 seconds and Smith took silver in 57.66.

McKeown is only the second woman to win back-to-back gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke in Olympic history, after American Natalie Coughlin (2004, 2008).

“Oh Kaylee, you are truly extraordinary!” cheered Giaan Rooney on Nine.

“She’s been the most dominant backstroke swimmer in the world for a number of years now. And that’s really an achievement that her consistency over the last three years deserves. Between Tokyo and now, she’s just been amazing.”

The Queenslander won gold in the 100 and 200 metre backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.

On Thursday she will begin defending her 200m title with heats and semi-finals leading up to the medal race on Friday.

McKeown has also added the 200m individual medley to her schedule for Paris, with the final of that event on Saturday.

McKeown has now won four gold medals in her Olympic career and was also part of the Australian women’s 4x100m medley team that triumphed in Tokyo.

She will also likely compete in the medley final with the Australian team, which will be decided on Sunday on the last day of competition in the swimming pool in Paris.

More to follow.

Kaylee McKeown successfully defended her Olympic gold medal in Paris

The Australian won a thrilling race in Paris to take home gold again