Australian Swimmer Breaks 100-Meter Backstroke World Record

Kaylee McKeown (right) in tears hugs Minna Atherton after breaking the the world record in her Women's 100 Metre Backstroke final during the Australian National Olympic Swimming Trials at SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre in Adelaide, Australia, on June 13, 2021. Mark Brake/Getty Images

ADELAIDE, Australia—Swimmer Kaylee McKeown says the death of her father 10 months ago inspired her to break the 100-meter backstroke world record on Sunday at the Australian Olympic trials.

The 19-year-old McKeown had a time of 57.45 seconds at the South Australian Aquatic Centre to improve on the previous mark of 57.57 set by American Regan Smith in 2019.