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Five-time Olympic backstroke champion Kaylee McKeown has pulled out of this summer’s Commonwealth Games with glandular fever. <\/b><\/p>\n
The 24-year-old Australian, who holds the Olympic, world and Commonwealth 100m and 200m backstroke titles, will also miss the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in August. <\/p>\n
McKeown said she is “gutted to medically withdraw” from the events, but said it was the right decision. <\/p>\n
The Games in Glasgow, Scotland take place from 23 July to 2 August, with the six-day swimming event starting on 24 July. <\/p>\n
“What I thought a few months ago was the flu has turned out to be my body fighting glandular fever,” said McKeown. <\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“It was a hard decision to make but it was the right one.”<\/p>\n
Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor said he respects and supports McKeown’s decision to “prioritise health”.<\/p>\n
Taylor added: “We all know how fierce and competitive she is – and she showed that by performing the way she did at trials.<\/p>\n
“Kaylee is a once-in-a-generation athlete. She is what we call a racer.” <\/p>\n<\/div>\n