Kyle Chalmers reveals Aussie rules mishap, injury and surgery almost ended Olympic dream

Kyle Chalmers has revealed an Aussie rules mishap last September almost ruined his Olympic dreams, suffering an embarrassing fall that resulted in surgery.

Kyle Chalmers has revealed an Aussie rules mishap last September almost ruined his Olympic dreams, suffering an embarrassing fall in a local game that resulted in surgery to install a tightrope and screws which still hold his right ankle together to this day.

The world 100m freestyle champion is aiming to reclaim his Olympic title in Paris but it’s not just a coaching upheaval he’s had to conquer in this preparation, with a “freak accident” during a three minute cameo playing for Port Lincoln last year adding another challenge to his campaign.

Chalmers said he has now “banned myself” from having a kick with the Sherrin, knowing it is far too close to the Olympic Games in Paris to be messing around with his other great sporting love.

Kyle Chalmers has had a solid outing at the Australian Open Swimming Championships. Picture: AFP

“Last year I actually completely did syndesmosis in my ankle so I had the full surgery with the tight rope and screws in my ankle,” Chalmers said after a sharp 47.63 seconds win at the Open titles on the Gold Coast.

“To rehab that, get out of the moon boot and on crutches, to get back swimming fast again is really special

“I did it maybe September when I had that kick of footy.

“I have banned myself. It wasn’t a smart move, I didn’t really want to play but I went out there for about three minutes in the second half, didn’t even touch the ball or get touched. I just happened to roll over my ankle. It was a bit of a freak accident.

“I did all three syndesmosis ligaments in my ankle, the ligaments holding my bones together, so now I’ve got a tightrope in there with screws either side holding it together.

“It was my own fault, so I can’t blame anyone or blame the situation, it was just my own doing.”

Kyle Chalmers pictured playing AFL, where he picked up an injury which needed surgery and almost ended his Olympic dream. Picture: Instagram

Chalmers said he was able to only miss one week in the pool following surgery, using a pull buoy to keep his arms working while his leg recovered.

Aside from being unable to drive a car for the duration of his recovery, everything else has gone smoothly.

And it needs to from here on in. With multiple rivals now capable of swimming 46 second 100m races, Chalmers will need to venture into new territory himself if he is to win gold in Paris.

“Yeah there’s a few guys going 46 now, it’s something I have chased for a very long time,” he said.

“I think as I’ve progressed in my swimming career it’s not necessarily about the time it’s about the result.

“You reflect on previous Olympic champions and previous competitions, what is remembered is who won the race and not what time was swum.

“I pride myself on no matter who I am racing against, lifting to their time or standard.

“If guys are swimming 46 then that is what I have to do to win.”

Kyle Chalmers won the men’s 100m at the Australian Open Championships, but has to go faster to repeat that feat at the Paris Olympics. Picture: AFP

In other events on Saturday night Mollie O’Callaghan sent an ominous message to the world with a dominant 1:53.57 win in the 200m freestyle, almost two seconds quicker than Olympic champion training partner Ariarne Titmus.

It was a statement of authority from the world record holder, completing another meet where she’s added further weight to the argument she could become Australia’s standout performer to watch at the Olympics.

Kaylee McKeown was just 0.7s away from breaking her own world record, with a 2:03.84 victory in the 200m backstroke to complete her stunning meet.