Pandemonium! Australia reacts to Kyle Chalmers’ golden moment

KYLE Chalmers ended 48 years of agony for Australian swimming when he won the men’s 100m freestyle gold medal — and didn’t we celebrate.

KYLE Chalmers ended 48 years of agony and frustration for Australian swimming when he won the men’s 100m freestyle gold medal at the Rio Olympics.

The world junior champion stormed home after turning in seventh place to get his hands on the wall first in a blanket finish, prompting wild celebrations back home.

The Adelaide Advertiser’s Scott Walsh was on hand at Marion Swimming Club in Adelaide, where Chalmers’ coach Peter Bishop and supporters watched the magic moment.

The moment Peter Bishop realised Kyle Chalmers was an Olympic champion #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/4n2wMs8iy0

— Scott Walsh (@scottwalshMail) August 11, 2016

Mere minutes after his incredible swim, Chalmers was on the phone to check in with Bishop and the Marion faithful, where the celebrations were in full swing.

Back at Marion, newly crowned Olympic champ Kyle Chalmers drops in with a Skype call #Rio2016 @theTiser pic.twitter.com/IaOo1iZYA5

— Scott Walsh (@scottwalshMail) August 11, 2016

There were even more jubilant scenes at Chalmers’ school Immanuel College, where students erupted as they watched the 18-year-old storm home to win gold.

PANDEMONIUM!!! GOLD FOR CHALMERS pic.twitter.com/YaXWr67Sk9

— Tim Morgan (@Timmy_morgs) August 11, 2016

In clinching the blue riband event, Chalmers became the youngest male Olympic gold medallist since 17-year-old Ian Thorpe won 400m freestyle gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

And Thorpe was super impressed with what he saw from Chalmers.

Wow, Kyle Chalmers is Australia's first 100m free champ in almost 50 years (Michael Wenden). Congratulations Kyle#SpeedTakes #Olympics

— Ian Thorpe (@IanThorpe) August 11, 2016

Kyle Chalmers and Cameron McEvoy embrace after the race. Picture: Adam Head

Fellow Australian Cameron McEvoy was also praised for his classy response after finishing seventh in the race.

McEvoy was ranked number one in the world heading into the Olympics but could not reproduce his best times in Rio. Instead of being downcast at his own performance, McEvoy instead focused on praising Chalmers for his incredible victory.

"To have an Olympic champion. That's bloody wonderful." Great stuff from Cam McEvoy on Kyle Chalmers. #Rio2016

— Beth Newman (@bethknewman) August 11, 2016

Rio day 5: Aussie gold in the pool

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Originally published as Pandemonium! Australia reacts to Kyle Chalmers’ golden moment