Lakeville's Smith wins bronze in 100-meter backstroke
World record-holder Kaylee McKeown gave Australia another gold medal with a victory in the women’s 100 backstroke, setting an Olympic record.
McKeown backed up her status as the world record-holder in the women’s 100-meter backstroke with a winning time of 57.47 seconds. That’s just off the mark she set this year of 57.45.
The silver went to Canada’s Kylie Masse in 57.72, while U.S. star and former world record-holder Regan Smith of Lakeville, Minn., settled for the bronze at 58.05.
KARE 11 sports correspondent Dave Schwartz told MPR News that the event was packed with talent for the 100-meter backstroke, and while Regan Smith swam well, the field swam well too.
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“They had said coming into the race that this was going to be one of the most hotly contested races in swimming. And it certainly was. She finishes in third last night and gets bronze,” Schwartz said. “Knowing Regan, she wanted to get gold, that was in her mind, what has been in her mind the whole time.
“I think as time passes, Regan will be much more excited about having a bronze medal because it was not an easy race. And to finish top three in that field is impressive,” he said.
In gymnastics, Minnesotans Sunisa Lee and Grace McCallum secured a silver medal, as Simone Biles exited the competition with a medical issue. Athletes competing for the Russian Olympic Committee won gold with a score of 169.528, ahead of the U.S. at 166.096, and Great Britain took bronze with 164.096.
What to watch for Tuesday
Jordan Thompson of Edina, Minn., and the U.S. women’s volleyball team beat China 3 to 0 in pool play earlier Tuesday. You can watch the match and Thompson scoring 34 points, the most of any volleyball player so far this tournament, on NBCSN at 5 p.m. Central.
On Wednesday, Minnesota’s Lara Dallman-Weiss and her teammate Nikole Barnes will have their first event in the Women’s 470 sailing competition.
BMX cyclist Alise Willoughby of St. Cloud will compete in the quarterfinals for BMX racing on Wednesday.