How Chalmers has handled loss of coach and new life ahead of Paris

Kyle Chalmers has found a new lease on life in isolation on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and has uncorked a new personal speed record that puts his Paris Olympic dreams in sharp view.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Kyle Chalmers celebrates winning the Men's Open 50m Butterfly Final during the 2024 Australian Open Swimming Championships at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre on April 17, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Kyle Chalmers has found a new lease on life in isolation on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and has uncorked a new personal speed record that puts his Paris Olympic dreams in sharp view.

Chalmers uprooted his entire life and moved to the St Andrews club north of Brisbane after his coach Peter Bishop was stood down following an investigation in South Australia earlier this year.

The decision shocked the swimming world but despite the upheaval Chalmers has found immediate gains, breaking the 22 second barrier for the first time in his career in the 50m freestyle at the Australian Open Championships on Friday night.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Kyle Chalmers celebrates winning the Men's Open 50m Butterfly Final during the 2024 Australian Open Swimming Championships at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre on April 17, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Chalmers placed second in the one-lap dash in 21.98s, just behind 2023 world champion Cameron McEvoy in 21.93s.

For Chalmers it’s a positive sign he will have the “easy speed” in the first 50m of his preferred 100m event as he looks to win gold for a second time in Paris.

“It’s exciting I’ve been trying to go under 22 since about 2015 so it’s really nice to do a PB in an event I haven’t swum heaps of but an event I’ve pushed hard in for a long time,” he said.

“I definitely will never be a 50 freestyler but it’s really good for my 100 having that easy speed.

“I don’t train to do a 50 freestyle whatsoever, just knowing I can have that speed is going to be really beneficial for my front end.”

Chalmers said the move to train under Ash Delaney in Queensland had gone according to plan, but his lack of social life was a major difference and perhaps a blessing as he settles into the most important three months of his career.

Kyle Chalmers looks on ahead of the Men's Open 50m Butterfly Final during the 2024 Australian Open Swimming Championships at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m a very social person, Adelaide is a very easy and safe place for me. I have all my friends, I have my family, I have a job in Adelaide,” he said.

“I’ve lived there forever really since leaving Port Lincoln. I live with all my friends really and they’re at my house al the time so adapting to life without them has been different.

“But it’s been really nice also, I’ve had time for myself to watch movies or play PlayStation and be away from all the noise and distraction.

“In Queensland I’m not getting noticed at all so I kind of just live a casual normal lifestyle which has been really fun and beneficial.”

Chalmers said despite the coaching he knows the work required to be ready for Paris and won’t deviate from the plan that has delivered him Olympic and world titles.

“I love the work, I love the training, I love smashing myself,” he said.

“I don’t want to change anything I’ve done for the last 13 years. I know what works really well for me.

“It’s about sticking to the same blueprint I know works for me and helps me swim fast.”