“I didn’t actually want to do the 100. I just wanted to come in and do the relays and 200m backstroke, so putting myself out there for a little bit and yeah, I think it’s good to get the monkey off my back.
“Off the back of Paris, I just found I was getting a bit too consumed with the pressure and the nerves, not only that the media kind of circulates but the ones that I put on myself.
“So I’m really just taking this year to get back into it, find my love for the sport again because I don’t ever want to lose that.”
Asked about what changes she has made to help, McKeown added: “I’ve moved back to the Sunshine Coast now and it’s been the best move that I could have done for myself.
“I’m the happiest I’ve been outside of the sport for a really, really long time and hopefully, maybe not this year but next year, it’ll start showing it in my swimming too.”
Smith won bronze in the 100m backstroke at last year’s Olympics, and ahead of the next chapter of this rivalry in Tuesday’s final – which will also feature Paris silver medallist Kylie Masse – McKeown said: “It would be boring if there wasn’t a rivalry, you know, it’s the reason that swimming becomes competitive.
“I’m just here to have a good time and have fun, and like I said, if that’s coming first or last, I’m here for a good time.”