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Kaylee McKeown makes swimming history with Olympic backstroke double

Kaylee McKeown, pictured here after winning gold in the 200m backstroke final.
Kaylee McKeown won gold in the 200m backstroke final. Image: Getty

Kaylee McKeown has claimed an incredible come-from-behind gold medal in the 200m backstroke final at the Tokyo Olympics.

McKeown is just the seventh woman in history to complete the 100m-200m backstroke double at an Olympic Games.

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Compatriot Emily Seebohm won bronze.

It marked the seventh gold medal for Australia in the pool in Tokyo, putting the swim team on the cusp of equalling Australia's most successful Olympics - the eight golds won at the 1956 Melbourne Games.

It was Australia's 10th gold medal overall in Tokyo.

McKeown lurked behind Canadian Kyle Masse for the initial three laps.

The Aussie was 0.80 seconds behind at the halfway stage and then turned for the last lap 0.69 seconds shy of Masse.

Emily Seebohm and Kaylee McKeown, pictured here celebrating after the 200m backstroke final.
Emily Seebohm and Kaylee McKeown celebrate after the 200m backstroke final. (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

But the Australian timed her surge to perfection, reeling in Masse over the final 15 metres.

McKeown won in two minutes 04.68 seconds from Masse (2:05.42) .

And Seebohm, at her fourth Olympics, clocked 2:06.17 to add a cherished bronze to her two silver career medals.

The stunning scenes had Australians in awe.

Katie Ledecky beats Ariarne Titmus in 800m final

Meanwhile, Ariarne Titmus took silver in the 800m final for her fourth medal of the Games.

American champion Katie Ledecky got revenge on Saturday after Titmus win the 200m and 400m golds.

Titmus' silver medal comes after her twin golds and bronze in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

The Australian could also add another in the 4x100 medley relay final on Sunday.

In the 800m final, Titmus and the rest of the field were unable to counter Ledecky, who won the event for a third consecutive Olympics to claim a seventh career gold medal.

The American won in eight minutes 12.57 seconds from Titmus (8:13.83) and Italian Simona Quadarella (8:18.35).

Australia's Kiah Melverton (8:22.25) finished sixth.

Australia then claimed bronze in the 4x100m mixed medley relay - the first time the event was held at an Olympics.

with AAP

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