Australian swimming champion Kaylee McKeown has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships.
A statement from Swimming Australia confirmed on Friday that the five-time Olympic gold medallist would not be competing in the games due to glandular fever.
The Commonwealth Games run from July 23 to August 2, while the Pan Pacific Championships are scheduled from August 12-15.
“I am gutted to medically withdraw. What I thought a few months ago was the flu has turned out to be my body fighting glandular fever,” McKeown confirmed in a statement.
“I was sick going into trials and I just have not got better and I am worried about pushing myself so hard that I end up with chronic fatigue.
“It was a hard decision to make but it was the right one.”
Back in June, during the Australian trials in Sydney, she almost broke her 200m backstroke world record despite being ill.
Now, her coach has said they are prioritising her health and wellbeing.
“At this point in time, Kaylee’s health is the most important thing,” said Rohan Taylor, the Dolphins head coach.
“… We are going to miss her on [the] team not just in the pool but out of the pool with her experience and leadership but I personally feel, respect and support her decision to prioritise health.
“I know after trials she significantly modified her training program to the point of no high-intensity work and she just didn’t improve.”
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