Backstroking Queen Kaylee McKeown Reveals She Has Endometriosis As She Juggles Life And Her Goals For 2028 and 2032
A week after backstroking queen Kaylee McKeown’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs with glandular fever, Australia’s five-time Olympic gold medallist opens up about life outside the pool, including a recent diagnosis of endometriosis.
The 25-year-old star of Tokyo and Paris has spoken about her desire and the complications to start a family on News Corp’s Stellar podcast
Australia’s most successful individual Olympic gold medallist tells of the priority she has placed on having a baby with partner former North Melbourne AFL (footballer) turned-lawyer, Declan Watson.
Australia’s most successful individual Olympic gold medallist told podcast host Sarrah Le Marquand, “I’ve been competitive swimming since I was 12 years old, and to be at this level all the time, it’s like standing on the edge of a knife.
“You could easily fall either way. I love my life outside of the pool. I have a beautiful partner, and we really want to create life outside of the pool, whether that’s getting married or having kids.
“There is a little bit of a timeline on when I can have kids” because she was diagnosed with endometriosis (a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it).
“I’ve spoken to my specialist, and he’s like, ‘Well, you should go freeze your eggs.
“I was like, ‘Well, I can’t do that because I’m swimming.’ I can’t just inject myself with hormones. I’d get pulled up for drug testing. As simple as that.
“So as much as I love swimming, it also has an impact on my personal life, and something I really want to make sure I’m able to do is have kids and be able to be a mother and have Declan be a father.
“I want to make sure all those things are in line. If I can get back to being in the pool by 2032, that’s great.
“Not a lot of people have done it, but if I can do it, then that’s amazing.”
The champion swimmer said she was in good spirits despite having to make the tough decision to walk away from the Commonwealth Games, following a diagnosis of glandular fever.
“Things could definitely be worse. I’m still healthy. I’ve got all my limbs. I’ve got a working heart, so I can’t really complain,” McKeown told Something To Talk About.
“It’s sad that I won’t be able to compete for Australia and be at the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs with my fellow teammates …
“My goal right now is getting myself healthy so I can be at my best for the LA Olympics in 2028.”
