Fresh images from the World Aquatics Championships have given Australian star Kaylee McKeown even more reason to be livid at her controversial disqualification.
McKeown was stunned when she and two other swimmers were disqualified in Sunday's semi final of the women's 200-metre individual medley what was deemed to be an illegal transition from the backstroke to breaststroke part of the race as they approached the wall.
The 22-year-old admitted seeing footage of the turn which got her disqualified left her "pretty upset", and Monday night's final wouldn't have improved her mood.
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The race was won by America's Kate Douglass, but replays showed that silver medallist Alex Walsh made a turn virtually identical to McKeown's and escaped without a penalty.
The rules applied to disqualify McKeown were rules 6.5 and 9.4 of the World Aquatics Competition Regulations.
Rule 6.5 applies to the backstroke and states that the swimmer "must touch the wall while on the back", while rule 9.4 relates to the medley event and says "each section must be finished in accordance with the rule which applies to the stroke concerned".
https://twitter.com/Braden_Keith/status/1683455178165600256
Still frames from McKeown and Walsh's turns show the Aussie on her side as she reaches for the wall, while the American looks to have prematurely turned onto her stomach before touching the wall.
According to the rule, both swimmers should have been disqualified, but Walsh escaped.
Former Olympic gold medallist Giaan Rooney said the recent introduction of a video review system had become a "game-changer" for the sport.
"It's a relatively new ruling, but the fact that video judging has come in, you have to be more aware of it," she said on Nine's coverage.
Stream the World Aquatics Championships live and free on 9Now!
McKeown rebounded well from the disappointment of the disqualification to finish first in her semi-final of the 100-metre backstroke, but was still left seeing red.
"It's sport, and that's what happens in sport," she said.
"I didn't see my turn last night but when I saw it this morning I thought it was completely unfair … shit happens."
"Unfortunately, some people get dealt the bad hand and I just got that bad hand.
"It's just a matter of trying to flip it into a positive and give them a big F-U."
McKeown will be action on Tuesday night in the final of the women's 100-metre backstroke.
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