Swimming-Magic McKeown swims second fastest 200m backstroke at Olympic trials

FILE PHOTO: Fukuoka 2023 World Aquatics Championships - Swimming - Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A, Fukuoka, Japan - July 30, 2023 Australia's Kaylee McKeown in action during the women's 4 x 100m medley relay final REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown missed her 200 metres backstroke world record but swam the second fastest time in history at Australia's Olympic trials on Thursday in a boost for her title defence at Paris.

Two nights after falling just short of her 100m world record, the brilliant 22-year-old clocked two minutes 3.30 seconds at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, 0.16 seconds off her best (2:03.14) at last year's state championships.