Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown, a five-time Olympic backstroke champion, has withdrawn from this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being diagnosed with glandular fever. The 24-year-old, who holds the Olympic, world and Commonwealth titles in both the 100m and 200m backstroke, said she was "gutted to medically withdraw" but believed it was the right decision to protect her health. Her absence removes one of the sport's most decorated competitors from a marquee event.

McKeown revealed that what she had thought was flu a few months ago turned out to be glandular fever, and that she had been unwell going into trials without recovering, raising fears of chronic fatigue if she pushed too hard. She will also miss the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in August. The Glasgow Games run from 23 July to 2 August, with the six-day swimming programme beginning on 24 July. Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor said he respected her decision to prioritise health, describing her as "a once-in-a-generation athlete" and "a racer".