Australian Kaylee McKeown, who won every backstroke title at the last two Olympics and at the 2023 Worlds, opted not to swim the 50m this year. She owns the world record of 26.86.

Canadian star Summer McIntosh continued her dominance Thursday at the world championships, challenging the world record in the women’s 200-meter butterfly while cruising to yet another win as she pursues history in Singapore.

Both swimmers set the second-fastest times ever in their finals but narrowly missed out on breaking world records