How the fastest female backstroke swimmer turned grief into gold | 60 Minutes Australia

The very best athletes in the world all know success is not achieved without pain. The relentless preparation and training needed to make it to the top of any sport hurts. But the agony Australia’s backstroke golden girl, Kaylee McKeown, has endured is much more than physical. Three years ago, on the cusp of her Olympic debut, her dad Sholto died. The heartbreak of losing him could so easily have ended Kaylee’s swimming career.

Instead, she did something remarkable. On assignment for 60 MINUTES, Nine’s Sylvia Jeffreys reports how Kaylee turned her sorrow into a superhuman strength.

For over forty years, 60 Minutes have been telling Australians the world’s greatest stories. Tales that changed history, our nation and our lives. Reporters Liz Hayes, Tom Steinfort, Tara Brown, Nick McKenzie and Amelia Adams look past the headlines because there is always a bigger picture. Sundays are for 60 Minutes.

#60MinutesAustralia

[stevenlavenia]

She is a definite inspiration! Grief to gold! ❤

[astrophysics]

I just love how 60 Minutes Australia highlights their swimmers. While they show how these are borderline superhuman athletes, they also show that they still are people like everyone else.

[Rhea]

Finally Kaylee getting some recognition ❤... sorry for your loss

[stuwhiteman]

Another Aussie legend, ... sad but then turns into a beautiful story.
Her Father would be so proud and over the moon at his daughters success, well done Kaylee.

[sngray]

What an incredible story. 💗 I am sure that her father is so unbelievably proud of her. 💞

[Communist.Forever]

congratulations Kaylee. Your father is proud of you. You are an inspiration

[sivak]

What a heart touching life 💝! God bless you....

[paulreynolds]

60 minutes. This young lady is awesome. The events you cover are relevant and of international interest to sensible human beings + ! Well done team x

[surfer]

Congrats Kaylee! 2 Golds and she broke the Olympic record in both 100m and 200m backstroke. 🎉

[LadyMiki-qcvx]

A beautiful story indeed. Well done Kaylee 🎉! Backstroke 🐐 💐

[flyboymic]

I am sorry for your loss of an amazing person in your life. I also lost mine.

[oscaraxelmorenomontes]

Con el debido respeto es una inspiración para muchas personas, tiene personalidad, y una fortaleza física y mental para reponerse de esa perdida de su padre, en hora buena que sigan los éxitos y más podios por conquistar, saludos a la distancia de Guadalajara Jalisco México eres grande Kaylee

[ThisisstillMYROOM.]

You seem like a strong and loving young woman, I’m really sorry for your loss, I lost my dad to Lewy body dementia in January of this year, the pain of losing a parent is indescribable.

[milicamakic]

What a beautiful soul and inspirational story ❤❤❤

[Aka_daka]

She is my favourite female Aussie swimmer by a long shot.

[wandaruddy]

Wish I carried on my back stroke was great in south Africa great ❤

[florianp]

3:18 OMG her underwater was already so good at this age???

[demkholamkipgen]

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

[KMMC]

I remember being in the fourth grade whooping 17 yr olds in back stroke

[asr]

Australia is traditionally strong in Swimming. That's a fact. But in track and field?🤔