Kyle Chalmers former coach lands gig with European powerhouse eight months after secret investigation

Kyle Chalmers’ former coach Peter Bishop has been recruited as the new national head coach of a European powerhouse, just eight months after a secret investigation by South Australian sports officials.

Kyle Chalmers’ former coach Peter Bishop has been recruited as the new national head coach of the Dutch swimming federation, just eight months after he was left off the Australian team following a secret investigation by South Australian sports officials.

In a brief statement issued by Swimming Australia, Bishop confirmed his surprise appointment, saying he was looking forward to a new challenge while the Dolphins’ head coach Rohan Taylor said he was leaving with the best wishes of everyone.

“His contribution across Olympic and Paralympic Games is significant and greatly valued. Kyle (Chalmers) and Matt (Cowdrey) are legends of our sport and Bish (Bishop) has been integral to shaping their careers,” Taylor said.

Sjors Lommerts, technical director of the Dutch swimming federation (KZNB), said Bishop had come highly recommended, with character references from former Dolphins head coach Jacco Verhaeren, who is returning to the Netherlands after recently working with the French team during the Paris Olympics.

Lommerts confirmed KZNB had made inquiries about the reasons why Bishop’s coaching accreditation was revoked in Australia and were satisfied the matter was finished.

“We have been extensively informed about this, both by Peter himself and Swimming Australia as well as his last employer,” Lommerts said.

“They have all confirmed to us in writing that this case was closed to everyone’s satisfaction during the previous Olympic cycle.”

The Australian swim team head coach Rohan Taylor with Kyle Chalmers in Paris. Picture: Adam Head

The full details of the investigation into Bishop have remained under wraps for confidentiality reasons after he was stripped of his coaching credentials in March and demoted to an administrative role, preventing him from accompanying any of his swimmers, including Chalmers, to the Paris Olympics.

Sources told this masthead at the time that the probe was launched in late 2023 following information that was forwarded to the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI).

It is understood the complaint did not come from a swimmer and was not of a criminal nature and the police were never involved but was still considered serious enough for him to temporarily lose his job.

Chalmers, who has long spoken about Bishop as a father figure to him, posted a note on his social media account applauding the news of his promotion.

“Huge congratulations to my coach, my mentor, my great friend, the master mind who took me from a 12 year old footballer and turned me into an Olympic champion/world record holding swimmer,” Chalmers wrote.

“We achieved every single thing swimming had to offer together, we travelled the world and had so many incredible experiences over the past 12 years. My career to this point would not have been possible without you, your love and your support.

“I am forever grateful for you and everything you have done and continue to do for me. I struggle to imagine my day to day swimming career without you, but I know our journey isn’t finished just yet!

“I am so proud of you and so excited for you to start your next journey! You deserve this opportunity more than anyone.

“The Netherlands have gained one of the greatest coaches/people Australian swimming has ever had. I look forward to visiting real soon!!”

The news that Bishop’s coaching accreditation had been revoked in March prompted Chalmers to relocate from South Australia to Queensland to finish off his Paris preparations under Ash Delaney.

Despite the upheaval, Chalmers was a sensation in the French capital, winning a silver medal in the 100m to prove beyond any doubt that he is Australian swimming’s greatest male sprinter.

The only guy who beat Chalmers was China’s Pan Zhanle, who demolished the world record, setting a scarcely believable time of 46.40 seconds.

But in adding to his gold from Rio and silver from Tokyo, ‘King Kyle’ became just the third man to reach the podium in the blue-riband sprint at three Olympics, joining Duke Kahanamoku and Alexander Popov.

Originally published as Kyle Chalmers former coach lands gig with European powerhouse eight months after secret investigation