Kyle Chalmers wins silver, lifts lid on uncertain future while fans in Marion cheer on
Australia’s swim king has revealed the message he sent home after his big race in Paris – as well as what the future holds for his career.
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Kyle Chalmers’ grandparents were more than impressed with his performance as they watched on from their home in Port Lincoln as Australia’s king of the pool added to his trophy cabinet overnight.
His grandfather Malcolm Bagnell told The Advertiser that he had “goosebumps’’ watching his grandson swim to a silver medal.
“I was really, really honed in on him and every inch of the way I was swimming with him all the way, I really was,” he said.
“But to think that when he turned he was in eighth, and turned back and hunted them down, it’s just unbelievable. I felt pretty damn proud as a grandparent.”
A text message sent from Chalmers to his grandparents following his silver medal win read: “Love you so much, so proud of that, hope I made you both proud. Could feel you here in spirit. Sleep time for me, just got home. Absolutely exhausted. Thank you again for all of your support. So grateful to you both, love you with all my heart, Kyle.”
His grandmother Julie said the fact that Chalmers was in his third Olympics and having already won gold in the 100m freestyle, was a testament to his dedication to the sport.
“We all knew that it was going to be a big ask for him because of the two young ones in the race but I think he did amazingly well,” she said.
“We said to Kyle when we were in Brisbane for the trials, we said, ‘well Kyle, you should be very proud of yourself and the fact that you’ve made your third Olympics, and whatever happens from there on, is a bonus’.”
The Bagnells were sporting “good luck” pyjamas as they watched their grandson claim silver.
Earlier, ahead of the race, Mr Bagnell said his grandson was a “remarkable young man” and was “hungry” for success.
“If you watch that (4x100m freestyle) relay, he had to hunt them (Dressel) down and he had a long way to go to come home, and Julie and I honestly thought that Australia would not get a medal having seen the start of that race.
“But to come home and bring home silver, was just absolutely outstanding, there’s no doubt about that, and for him to come out with a 46.59, there’s no telling what he’s capable of.”
When it came to the 100m freestyle final on Thursday, Mr Bagnell told The Advertiser that he and his wife Julie would be rugged up in their living room at home in Port Lincoln, with a “stoked fire” wearing “good luck” pyjamas while they cheered on their grandson.
“I will be in Kyle’s Rio pyjamas, and then I’ll put his special shirt he sent to me for my birthday, and it’s got a gold crown in the front, with KC (Kyle Chalmers) and I’m going to be wearing that over the top of the pyjamas,” he said.
“That’s my good luck for him. It goes back to Rio when he gave me his pyjamas, and every year, well, like, when Tokyo was on, I wore the pyjamas and I got up to watch him.
“But, I always say, ‘whatever will be, will be’, because we support him, he knows that, and we know that he puts his heart into the job when he’s swimming.”
Chalmers won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 100m freestyle final when the then 18-year-old finished with a time of 47.58, beating Belgian swimmer Pieter Timmers, who recorded a time of 47.80, and American Nathan Adrian, who recorded 47.85.
King Kyle makes huge call on swimming career
Kyle Chalmers “won’t be retiring anytime soon”, lifting the lid on his future after winning silver in the men’s 100m freestyle final at the Paris Olympics.
“This is not my last individual,” Chalmers said after his race. “I’m not retiring any time soon.”
“This race does mean a lot to me. It’s really special so I’m probably just lost for words really.”
“I did everything I possibly could and I’m really proud of that performance to get silver in my third Olympic Games – to get on the podium three consecutive times is something I’m going to be very proud of and no one can take that away from me.”
He also gave a big shout-out for SA and his home town of Port Lincoln and said his next biggest goal was inspiring the next generation of swimmers.
“I was a kid from country South Australia, who has managed to progress on to the world stage in sport, and for me, I can’t wait to go home to Port Lincoln and start inspiring the next generation to come through and help them believe it is possible, even South Australians in general,” he said.
“Like, I’m just so proud to be Australian, South Australian, and from a small country town of Port Lincoln. I love it.’
In an Instagram following the 100m final, Chalmers said he was proud to get a podium finish and that he did everything possible to succeed.
“I am so proud to stand on the Olympic podium in the men’s 100 metre freestyle for the 3rd consecutive time,” he wrote.
“I did everything I possibly could to succeed, I truly believe I left no stone unturned in my pursuit of Olympic glory here in Paris.
“Silver is my glory this time, I swam my best possible race and gave every bit of energy I had in my tank.
“So to stand on the podium and be crowned the 2nd fastest 100 freestyler in the world is very special.”
Cheers from Port Lincoln
Chalmers first began his career in swimming as a nine-year-old with the West Coast Swimming Club in Port Lincoln, after he impressed his first coach during a school swimming event.
Members of the team were up early on Thursday morning and watched Chalmers from the local swimming centre, as he took out the silver medal.
Current head coach for the club, Nicol Wright, said Chalmers proved to the kids on the team that making the Olympics was also a possibility for them with “dedication and hard work”.
“He’s the ultimate in their eyes as he should be,” she said.
“He’s been performing at a high level for three Olympics, now made a podium for all three which is an outstanding effort and there’s not many people that can do that.
“He always remembers where he came from and we really appreciate that he always refers back to Port Lincoln as being his home and hopefully he’ll come back here one day.
“Seeing Kyle do it from where he did has definitely given these kids that motivation and that excitement that what they’re doing could eventually lead to the same outcome as him.”
Chalmers was tipped to be a podium finish in the 100m freestyle final at the Paris Olympics on Thursday morning, after he recorded a time of 46.59 in the men’s 4x100 relay over the weekend.
That was not to be, but he did win silver, and in doing so he proved beyond any doubt that he is the greatest sprinter of his generation and the finest Australia has ever produced.
The only guy who beat Chalmers was China’s Pan Zhanle, who demolished the world record, setting a time of 46.40 seconds. King Kyle already had a gold medal from Rio in 2016 as well as silver from Tokyo three years ago.
As thousands of South Aussies, including SA Premier Peter Malinauskas, got up early to watch the big race, dozens of fans also flocked to the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre to see their local superstar win silver.
Jasmin Fullgrabe, 19, said coming together at the centre in Marion to support Chalmers was an “important” moment for South Australians.
“I think it’s really good – obviously we’re getting around all the Aussies but especially Kyle since he’s from SA,” Ms Fullgrabe said.
“SA’s a little bit more of a niche state so we’ve got to support each other, and he’s born and raised here so that’s really important for all of us developing athletes.
“Marion have a really good club culture and they get around everyone from a development age to state, national and international so it’s great to be part of that culture.”
For rising stars Willow Mutton, 12, Livi Meehan, 12, Alice Rose-Moss, 13, Elke Nolan, 12 and Annabelle, 11, being able to see Chalmers in action was a surreal experience.
“It’s fun to watch,” Annabelle said.
“We want to compete in the Olympics”, they all added.
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Originally published as Kyle Chalmers wins silver, lifts lid on uncertain future while fans in Marion cheer on
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