Australia’s swimming scene has turned a new page, as Mollie O’Callaghan and Kaylee McKeown delivered explosive performances at the short-course World Cup meet in Westmont, Illinois, signalling a bold start to the post-Ariarne Titmus era.
O’Callaghan, the 200m freestyle Olympic champion, smashed the short-course world record with a time of 1:49.77, becoming the first woman to swim the 200m freestyle in under 1 minute 50 seconds. The previous benchmark of 1:50.31 had stood since 2021.
In a dramatic follow-up, McKeown edged out the formidable rival Regan Smith in the 200m backstroke, clocking 1:57.87, which bettered Smith’s own previous short-course world record of 1:58.04. The victory came after McKeown had lost the 100m backstroke earlier in the meet.
These performances are particularly noteworthy because they arrive just days after Titmus, Australia’s former dominant middle-distance freestyle champion, announced her retirement at the age of 25. Her departure leaves a void in the “anchor” position for the Australian women’s freestyle squad, and O’Callaghan and McKeown’s clubbing of major marks suggests they are willing — and able — to step up.
What this means for Australian swimming
- The fact that O’Callaghan and McKeown both achieved world records so quickly after Titmus’s exit suggests a smooth transition in leadership and performance within the national program.
- O’Callaghan’s new time marks a clear shift: the barrier of 1:50 in the 200m freestyle has been broken — this is a milestone for the event globally.
- McKeown’s style in the 200m backstroke was also telling: unlike her usual pattern of trailing early and then coming back, she opted to lead from the front and hold off Smith, signalling a tactical evolution.
- The success provides momentum for Australia going into the next major international meets: it sends a message that, despite the departure of a major star, the squad remains elite and world-class.
Challenges and questions ahead
- While the short-course (25m pool) world records are impressive, maintaining that dominance in long-course (50m pool) will remain the core challenge — especially when global competitions shift back to long-course formats.
- With Titmus gone, the psychological and relay-leadership roles she fulfilled will need to be redistributed amongst the remaining squad members — not just O’Callaghan and McKeown, but the broader team.
- Both athletes will now face increased pressure and expectation: being record-holders draws the target of international rivals. How they manage that pressure will matter.
Final thoughts
In the wake of Ariarne Titmus’s retirement, Australia could have faced a period of uncertainty in its women’s freestyle leadership. Instead, the spectacular record-breaking swims by Mollie O’Callaghan and Kaylee McKeown suggest that rather than a gap, a new chapter is beginning — one with fresh leaders at the front. Their performances in Westmont mark not just individual greatness, but symbolise continuity and renewal for Australian swimming on the world stage.
