Aussie Freestyle King, Kyle Chalmers Confirms Paris Will Be His Olympic Swansong, Maybe….And He’s Not Retiring
Be mindful about the interpretation of the “R word” when you are writing about an Olympic and the reigning world champion – it may just land you in hot water – or lukewarm…. anyway.
The Australian media pricked its ears up today when one of its favourite swimming sons, freestyle sprint king Kyle Chalmers went on leading sports radio station SEN, declaring that Paris would be his last Olympics.
FLEX-IBLE: Kyle Chalmers on top the world in Fukuoka..just don’t’ mention the R word. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).
“It will be the last Olympics for me … I will be 26,” Chalmers said.
“Even this year, being in the marshalling room before the race (World Championship final), I was the oldest by quite a few years. There were a few born in 2002, 2003, one of the Romanian boys (world record holder David Popovici) just turned 18.
“There’s a lot of young guys rolling through. Even in Tokyo I was the second oldest at 22 and ‘the old boy’ Caeleb Dressel has slowed down a little bit.
“I’ll be old and ready to start the next chapter of my life.”
The news prompting some news outlets to read between the lines to suggest one of the world’s fastest swimmers will be calling it quits……after Paris…. but not the case.
With Chalmers quick to clarify saying: “Click bait media working hard again… I am NOT RETIRING!!” Chalmers posted on his Instagram.
“There are many competitions after the Olympics that still give me the opportunity to represent my country at the highest level.
“We have a World Short Course Championships in 2024, World Long Course Championships in 2025, Commonwealth Games in 2026 and plenty of World Cups in there also.
“I’ll be busy. I have plenty of titles that need defending,
“But yes, Paris will be my third and most likely last Olympic Games….and 2028 is a very long way away…but who knows?
“If the body and the mind hold up maybe, I’ll even be in Brisbane in 2032.
“For now, it’s time to lock in and give my absolute all to having success in Paris.”
Chalmers declaring he’s “Hungrier than ever.”
As you were swimming world…. business as usual for “The King” even if it is with a “rolled ankle.”
The son of former South Australian football star Brett Chalmers was an early exit from an exhibition AFL game back in his hometown of Port Lincoln last weekend with training partner and fellow two-time Olympian Matt Temple – who was best on ground.
Photo Courtesy: Sunday Telegraph