Kyle Chalmers’ coach stood down ahead of Paris Olympics

Aussie swimming sprint king Kyle Chalmers’ Olympic campaign has copped a brutal blow just months out from the Paris Games.

Aussie 100m freestyle king Kyle Chalmers has been rocked after his coach was ruled out of attending this year’s Paris Olympics following an investigation by South Australian authorities.

News Corp reported Peter Bishop has been removed from his role as head coach of the state’s high-performance program after an undisclosed investigation just four months before the eyes of the world turn to the French capital.

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A spokesperson from the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) confirmed the move.

“The South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) has received information that has resulted in an investigation,” the spokesperson said.

“Following this investigation, SASI can confirm that Craig Stewart has been promoted to the role of Head Coach, with Peter Bishop reassigned into a role focused on developing talent and strategies as SASI aims to maximise success during the 2028 and 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games cycles.”

Swimming Australia also released a statement, revealing it had revoked Bishop’s coaching accreditation until the end of the Olympic cycle over the investigation.

“Swimming Australia has been informed of a recent investigation and findings by the South Australia Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing into South Australian Sports Institute high performance swimming program,” the statement said.

“This was an independent process and part of the recommendations include the restructuring of this program.

“Swimming Australia respects the process and findings and has revoked Peter Bishop’s coaching accreditation until the end of the Olympic cycle, upon which he is eligible to reapply.”

Chalmers will have to do it without his long-time coach. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Peter Bishop celebrating Chalmers’ 2016 gold. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Bishop was the mastermind behind Chalmers’ shock 2016 gold medal in the 100m freestyle when he was still in school.

Chalmers has remained one of Australia’s highest profile swimmers, winning 100m silver in Tokyo, where he also claimed 4x100m and 4x200m bronze medals.

Chalmers is heading into the Olympics as one of the favourites for the 100m freestyle yet again, having won gold in the event at the Fukuoka World Championships in 2023.

However, Chalmers will be up against it, with China’s Zhanle Pan likely to be the favourite after breaking the world record just last month.

Bishop is also the coach of star butterflyer Matt Temple and both were part of the 2022 4x100m medley team that equalled the world record at the World Short Course Championships.

Chalmers has not yet confirmed his new coach.

A much younger Kyle Chalmers with Adelaide coaches Peter Bishop and Shelly Jarrett. Picture: Supplied

The careers of swimmers don’t usually last longer than their mid-20s, so Chalmers is likely nearing the end of his swimming journey.

But he plans to continue after the 2024 Olympics and to the World Championships.

“I’ll probably do a lot more of the World Cup circuit and do some money-making swimming because obviously there’s not a huge amount of money in swimming,” he told the In Your Lane podcast last year.

However, Chalmers has looked outside the pool for his next career move, revealing he had been working as a tradie in Adelaide at the end of last year.

He also revealed a side hustle, releasing a signature sneaker line through shoe company Athletikan.