McKeon seventh heaven

AUSTRALIAN swimming’s golden girl Emma McKeon has booked a seven-event program for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games — much to her surprise.

McKeon admitted she had no idea just how many events she had qualified for after completing her marathon program by claiming gold in her pet event of 100m butterfly at the Gold Coast trials last night.

The Commonwealth record holder swam 57.13sec to claim her first title at the four-day trials, which end today, with Rio Olympian Brianna Throssell (57.42) grabbing silver and also an individual berth.

Asked if she was excited about an unprecedented sevenevent program, McKeon said: “I guess, if that’s what it is — I haven’t counted them.”

The 23-year-old booked another three individual berths by grabbing 200m freestyle silver, 100m freestyle bronze behind the Campbell sisters and silver in her new event, the 200m butterfly at this meet.

She will also contest three relays at next month’s Games.

McKeon is on track to eclipse her 2017 heroics when she became the first Australian woman to claim six medals at a world titles.

Still, she was not satisfied after finding herself off her customary place on top of the podium at the trials.

“I am relieved I can get a win. Usually I am on the top more often at trials but I think that is good for me — it is only going to make me more motivated,” McKeon said.

“As much as I don’t like it (not winning) it will just motivate me more to train hard over the next five weeks to work on any weaknesses.

“I wouldn’t call it disappointed. Not satisfied, that’s for sure. But is only the trials and I did what I needed to do to make the team.”

The trials were held just five weeks out from the Games rather than three months, adopting the approach of the all-conquering US team.