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Lee pulled from open water swim

Australian open water swimming coach Ron McKeon has pulled a recovering Kareena Lee from her remaining world titles event in Russia.

Australian open water swimmer Kareena Lee has been pulled from her remaining event at the world titles in Russia after collapsing and being hospitalised following the women's 10km race.

National open water coach Ron McKeon said Lee had made a full recovery after being treated for three hours in a Kazan hospital for a combination of asthma, dehydration and hypothermia following Tuesday's race.

However, he has withdrawn her from the titles' final open water event - Saturday's 25km race - on medical grounds.

Lee has been provisionally replaced by Chelsea Gubecka, who finished in a frustrating 13th place in the 10km race.

A top 10 finish would have earned Rio Olympic qualification.

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Team officials expected Gubecka's entry to be confirmed on Wednesday.

"It is unusual that swimmers are replaced but on medical grounds the Australian team believes they have a good case," a team spokesperson said.

Lee - an asthmatic - complained of shortness of breath before collapsing moments after the 10km event.

She walked out of hospital with management and headed back to the team hotel on Tuesday night after undergoing tests at the Kazan hospital.

"(It was) a combination of asthma, dehydration, hypothermia," a spokesperson said.

"She is also a little battered and bruised from her world championship debut which included a whack on her nose."

Jess Walker will also represent Australia in the 25km race while Sam Sheppard and Jarrod Poort will feature in the men's event, also on Saturday.

Meanwhile, McKeon has named London Olympian Poort, 10km swimmer Simon Huitenga and 2009 world 5km champion Melissa Gorman to represent Australia in Thursday's 5km teams event on the Kazanka River.


2 min read

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Updated

Source: AAP


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