Olympic swimming champion Kyle Chalmers plays for Elliston in the SA’s Great Flinders Football League

An SA country football competition was surprised to see an Olympic champion playing on Saturday – after a week of controversy in Adelaide, it must have been a welcome break.

Superfish Kyle Chalmers has returned to his first love – football – after a week of controversy at the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide.

Chalmers surprised onlookers as he pulled on the guernsey for the Elliston Roosters in the Great Flinders Football League this afternoon.

Leaving behind this week’s love triangle saga at the national championships in Adelaide, Chalmers took to the field for Elliston in their clash against Tumby Bay on SA’s Eyre Peninsula.

Chalmers, whose dad Brett played 75 games for Port Adelaide and Adelaide, has made no secret of his love of Aussie rules, revealing in 2018 that he hoped to pursue an AFL career after swimming.

The Olympic 100m freestyle gold (2016) and silver (2021) medallist was a promising junior footballer, playing in his hometown of Port Lincoln for Lincoln South, and representing Immanuel College before focusing on the pool.

Chalmers has been embroiled in controversy at the recent Australian championships, a competition which doubles as a world championship and Commonwealth Games selection meet.

The 23-year-old, who normally swims freestyle and has only ­recently returned from shoulder surgery, initially said he had no desire to go to next month’s world championships in Budapest because his focus was on the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, starting late July.

But he had a sudden change of heart, which has put former pop star Cody Simpson’s spot on the team in doubt.

Simpson, who used to date Miley Cyrus but has now been linked with Chalmers’ ex flame Emma McKeon, was on the verge of being selected for his first Australian team after finishing third in the 100m butterfly.

Australia’s Kyle Chalmers reacts after winning the men's 50 metre butterfly final at the 2022 Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide on May 19, 2022. (Photo by Brenton Edwards / AFP)

By finishing ahead of Simpson in Adelaide this week, the 2016 Rio Olympic champion had the right to decide himself whether he will go to the world ­titles, and Simpson will likely miss out when the team is announced on Sunday.

“I can be made out to be the villain but just like everyone who stands behind the blocks I want to win and represent my country at the highest level,” Chalmers wrote on Instagram.

“For me this is an exciting new chapter I’m about to embark on, that’ll keep me motivated, hungry and stimulated to be the best I can possibly be.”