Kyle Chalmers and other Olympians call out Aussie racist culture

Star Olympic swimmer Kyle Chalmers says Australians must be joking when they say the country isn’t racist.

Star Olympian Kyle Chalmers has taken a stand against racism after witnessing the “hurt” it has caused his Indigenous mates — and believes prejudice is “embedded” into Australian culture.

The 23-year-old champion, along with other Olympians, athletes and public figures have banded together to release a message in “solidarity” with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The video titled “Enough is Enough” has since been viewed more than 22,000 times after it was posted to social media sites on Friday afternoon — and refers to the traditional custodians of the lands where their cities and towns are located.

Wearing a jumper by Victorian Aboriginal fashion label Clothing The Gaps, Chalmers who lives in Adelaide, says “I stand here on the lands of the Kaurna people”.

“We stand in solidarity here with all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes here at W Sports & Media and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people around Australia,” he says.

“We commit to no longer standing by and leaving the load to those who are impacted by racism.”

The swimmer, who grew up in Port Lincoln, South Australia, was spurred to action after witnessing the toll repeated discrimination had on close Indigenous friends.

“I’m a person that wants to come out and make a stance against that, and try my best to eliminate it because I’m just over seeing people hurt due to racism,” he told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“I think we’re joking ourselves if we think Australia is a non-racist country, I think we have many problems with it and it seems to be just kind of embedded into our culture.”

“I want to be a leader … and a spokesperson for it as a white Australian and make my message heard, make it clear.

“This year has been a terrible one, especially in the AFL system, with the amount of racism that’s gone on and impacted quite a lot of my close friends in the system.”

Lin Jong, formerly of the Western Bulldogs also appears in the video.

Madi Wilson is taking a stand against racism. Picture: Delly Carr.

Chalmers said he would be looking to the Indigenous community on how he could be an ally.

“I definitely want to be (part of) a culture and a country that’s united and proud of the rich history with Indigenous culture,” he said.

“And we should be, I guess so grateful to be a part of that and learn from it.”

Chalmers urged all Australians to educate themselves and be part of the change to stop racism.

“It’s calling out your mates or if you hear family members, call it out and say that’s not acceptable,” he said.

“I hope as many people who feel passionate about it, stand up and be brave and join forces and hopefully we can put a stop to racism in Australia because it’s definitely needed and it’s not nice.

“It’s not nice hurting people, it’s not nice seeing people hurt, so the quicker we can get on top of it, the better.”

Olympic sprinter Riley Day, Olympic swimmer Elijah Winnington, Retired AFL footballer Lin Jong, Olympic runner Ryan Gregson, Olympic gold medallist Madi Wilson, Olympic Tennis star Sam Groth, Cricketer Tayla Vlaeminck, Former Fox FM radio host Byron Cooke, Olympic Australian long jump record holder Brooke Stratton and Tennis player Lizette Cabrera all featured in the video.