Paris Olympic Games Moreton Bay coverage – July 30

Above: Kaylee McKeown at the Olympic trials. Picture Delly Carr, Swimming Australia

Kaylee McKeown, born in Redcliffe and raised at Caboolture, has this morning set-up one of the most anticipated finals of the Paris Olympics.

The 23-year-old, who swam with Australian Crawl in Burpengary, qualified second fastest for the 100m backstroke final tomorrow, 4.56am AEST.

Defending champion McKeown came through late, as usual, in her semi-final to win in 57.99 seconds, ahead of Katherine Berkoff (58.27) from the US.

That sets up a showdown with rising US star Regan Smith, the world record holder, who won her semi in a fractionally faster time of 57.97 seconds.

The field this year also includes Kylie Masse, of Canada, meaning three of the last four world record holders are in the final.

However, Aussie legend Ian Thorpe said on Channel Nine that McKeown had a “nice flow” to her stroke and “looked comfortable”.

This is the first of five events for McKeown who is also in the 200m backstroke, 200m IM, 4x100 medley relay and 4x100 mixed relay.

Two from two

Australia’s women’s hockey team, with former Redcliffe Hockey Club junior Renee Taylor, put in a commanding performance this morning to hammer Great Britain.

Taylor, who was born in Everton Park, started on the bench as the Hockeyroos hit four goals for their second successive win.

They now sit level on six points with Argentina, at the top of Pool B.

Two goals in two minutes at the start of the second quarter by Rebecca Greiner and Alice Arnott set the Hockeyroos on their way. Tatum Stewart and Grace Stewart completed the quartet.

Australia face the USA, currently fourth on the Pool B ladder, tomorrow night, starting 9.15am (AEST).

At 10pm tomorrow AEST the Australian Stingers water polo team - with Charlize Andrews and Alice Williams from Albany Creek-based North Brisbane Pole Bears - face Netherlands in their second match of Pool B.