- Kaylee McKeown is dating ex–footy player Declan Watson
- Loved up couple recently holidayed at Uluru in the NT
- McKeown, 24, previously dated fellow swimmer Brendan Smith
Aussie swim queen Kaylee McKeown has gone public with her new man, former North Melbourne AFL player Declan Watson.
McKeown, 24, won the 100m/200m backstroke double at the recent world championships in Singapore – and she did it while battling a shoulder complaint.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, McKeown uploaded a series of images from her Uluru holiday with Watson, who is now a lawyer.
It also showed McKeown – who has already won five Olympic gold medals in her decorated career – has moved on from her ex-boyfriend, fellow Dolphins swimmer Brendan Smith.
The couple were together for roughly four years and were based on the Gold Coast leading into the Paris Olympics under esteemed coach Michael Bohl.
But after going their separate ways, McKeown relocated back to the Sunshine Coast to be closer to family.
Aussie swim queen Kaylee McKeown has gone public with her new man, former North Melbourne AFL player Declan Watson (pictured together)
Taking to Instagram, McKeown uploaded a series of images from her holiday to Uluru with her lawyer boyfriend
McKeown is pictured with her ex, fellow swimmer Brendan Smith. The former couple were together for about four years
And now she is clearly loved-up with Watson, who also posted photos of McKeown on his Instagram page.
The 26-year-old was drafted by North Melbourne in 2016, but two ACL injuries saw the key defender never play a senior game for the Kangaroos.
He was then de-listed in 2019 and works in Brisbane as a lawyer.
In the lead-up to the Paris Games last year, McKeown’s laid-back nature was on full display in an interview.
‘Everyone kind of always puts the Olympics as this big thing,’ she said.
‘For me, I just learnt that it’s a pool in a different city. ‘At the end of the day, it’s just me diving in and doing what I can do best.’
McKeown’s brother Lachlan also provided a hilarious moment poolside in Paris when asked how nervous Kaylee was ahead of the 100m backstroke final.
His graphic overshare resulted in a mortified Sharon McKeown making a throat-cutting gesture so he would keep quiet during a Channel Nine interview.
She eventually composed herself to add: ‘(As her mum), I was nervous.
‘Regardless of the outcome, you are still proud of your kids, whether they win, lose – they are here (competing at the Olympics).
‘That’s all you can go by.’
