Aussie Multi-Medalist Kyle Chalmers Says His Olympic Career Not Yet Over

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

Last night 19-year-old Pan Zhanle of China shocked the world by clocking a monster new world record en route to becoming the men’s 100m freestyle champion.

Pan stopped the clock at a time of 46.40, slicing .40 off his own previous world standard set at this year’s World Championships. The next-closest swimmer was Australia’s Kyle Chalmers who touched in 47.48 while Romania’s David Popovici took bronze in 47.49.

For 26-year-old Chalmers, his silver medal marked the 3rd consecutive earned in this event at an Olympic Games. He topped the podium at the 2016 Olympics in Rio as just a 17-year-old before following up with silver 5 years later at the postponed Games.

Even with that illustrious of a resume, Chalmers said post-race that we have not seen the last of him on the big stage.

“This is not my last individual (event), I am not retiring any time soon,” he said. “I love it. I think I will continue on as long as I possibly can.” (The Nightly)

“To get silver at my third Olympic Games, to be on the podium three consecutive times, is something I am going to be very, very proud of and no-one can ever take away from me,” Chalmers said. (The Nightly)

All told, Chalmers has racked up 8 Olympic medals when including relay performances.

2016 Rio:

  • GOLD – men’s 100m freestyle
  • BRONZE – men’s 4x100m free relay
  • BRONZE – men’s 4x100m medley relay

2020 Tokyo:

  • SILVER – men’s 100m free
  • BRONZE – men’s 4x100m free relay
  • BRONZE – men’s 4x100m free relay

2024 Paris (not yet concluded):

  • SILVER – men’s 100m freestyle
  • SILVER – men’s 4x100m free relay

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MDE
3 months ago

I hope he finds a good program to base himself at for this next block.

Personal Best
3 months ago

Kinda surprised he held on for a great silver, in that field. Not based on his form, but based on his competitors, and where he was with about 10m to go.

At first I thought he touched in third, but to get second in his third Olympic final in this event is super impressive.

Thomas The Tank Engine
3 months ago

Death, Taxes, and Chalmers medaling in 100 free.

Chalmers is the only active swimmer who always medaled in individual 100 free since his first international race (when he won 100 free at 2015 Worlds Junior in Singapore). Not even Dressel did it.

Last edited 3 months ago by Thomas The Tank Engine
Steve Nolan
3 months ago

I am mostly excited to see what insanely flukey ways he can injure himself, but still medal at a major international meet like 3-6 mo later.

Troyy
3 months ago

He’s been saying he’s not retiring soon for 12 months already but people keep talking about his retirement.

Khase Calisz
3 months ago

You are missing the 4×200 relay bronze from Tokyo

oxyswim
3 months ago

Hell yeah, Kyle

Robbos
3 months ago

Popov, PVDH & now Chalmers the greatest 100 free swimmers of all time.

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Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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