The 2026 Pan Pacific Championships, set to take place in Irvine, California, is shaping up to be a highly anticipated event, but it's not without its surprises and notable absences. Here's a breakdown of some key athletes who won't be competing, and the impact their absence will have on the competition.
Kaylee McKeown
One of the most anticipated athletes of the meet, Kaylee McKeown, is notably absent due to mononucleosis. Her withdrawal from both the Commonwealth Games and these Pan Pacs is a significant loss for the event. McKeown had been dominating the backstroke events, with impressive times in the 200 back (2:03.98), 100 back (57.77), and 50 back (27.13) at the Australian Trials. Her absence will leave a void in the backstroke races, particularly in the marquee matchups with her rival, Regan Smith, and other top swimmers like Katharine Berkoff and Claire Curzan.
Cam McEvoy
Another Australian star, Cam McEvoy, has opted to skip the Pan Pacific Championships in favor of the Commonwealth Games. McEvoy's decision is understandable, given the potential for significant financial bonuses from a sponsorship deal with Gina Rinehart. McEvoy's absence is a blow to the event, as he is the world's fastest-ever freestyler, with a blistering 20.88 world-record-breaking 50 freestyle swim at the China Open. The 50 free event, which McEvoy would have dominated, now features a strong field of US talent, including Jack Alexy, Michael Andrew, and Quintin McCarty, among others.
Tomoru Honda
Japanese swimmer Tomoru Honda, an Olympic silver medalist, is also out of the Pan Pacs due to a legal issue. He was indicted for violating an Act on Punishment of Offenses relating to Driving, which will keep him out of both the Pan Pacific Championships and the Asian Games. Honda was set to compete in the 200 butterfly, 100 fly, and 400 IM, with strong seed times. His absence will impact the Japanese team, particularly in the 200 fly, where he was the lone Japanese swimmer, leaving only 14 entrants.
Mollie O'Callaghan
Mollie O'Callaghan, another Australian talent, has withdrawn from the Pan Pacs due to lingering back issues. Despite her injury, she performed well at the Commonwealth Games, winning gold in the 200 free and contributing to Australian relay success. O'Callaghan was set to compete in multiple freestyle and backstroke events, and her absence will create a gap in the competition, particularly in the clashes with top swimmers like Gretchen Walsh, Kate Douglass, and Simone Manuel.
Kyle Chalmers
Kyle Chalmers, an Australian sprint freestyle star, has chosen the Commonwealth Games over the Pan Pacific Championships, citing financial bonuses as the primary reason. Chalmers' decision is understandable, given the potential for significant earnings. His absence will leave a void in the sprint freestyle events, as he is the team's top 50 and 100 freestyler. The absence of Chalmers and McEvoy in the sprint freestyle events will significantly impact the Australian team's performance.
These notable absences will undoubtedly shape the dynamics of the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships, creating opportunities for other swimmers to step up and potentially making the event even more exciting and unpredictable.
