Kyle Chalmers slams ‘pathetic' Cody Simpson love triangle rumour

Kyle Chalmers has hit out after a decision that could keep Cody Simpson off the Australian swim team took a spicy turn.

Cody Simpson is rumoured to be dating Emma McKeon, Kyle Chalmers' ex.

Kyle Chalmers is set to crush Cody Simpson’s dream of swimming for Australia but denies the extraordinary situation has anything to do with a potential love triangle involving Aussie queen of the pool Emma McKeon.

Chalmers, 23, was romantically linked to McKeon, 27, in September last year.

But it was reported last week Simpson and McKeon — who became a household name by winning four gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics — have been seeing each other on the Gold Coast.

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Chalmers found himself in a unique position this week when Simpson’s lifelong dream of making the national team was suddenly placed in his hands at the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide.

After a 10-year absence from the sport while he became a global pop icon, Simpson appeared to have booked his ticket to next month’s world championships in Budapest in the 100m butterfly.

He finished third with a time of 51.96 but was expected to claim the second spot on the team in the event behind winner Matt Temple because Chalmers, who finished second in the final, wasn’t expected to include the event in his busy program.

But that flipped on Thursday night when Chalmers appeared to have a change of heart. Speaking to Amazon Prime Video after Thursday evening’s 50m butterfly final, Chalmers virtually confirmed he would join the Australian team at the world championships, meaning Simpson misses out.

Speaking to 2Day FM’s Hughesy, Ed & Erin on Friday morning, Chalmers had a firm response when asked by Erin Molan if his decision had anything to do with Simpson dating McKeon.

“It’s hugely pathetic. It’s the biggest joke I’ve ever heard to be honest with you,” Chalmers said.

“I started out a butterflyer. I’ve wanted to be a butterflyer my whole career, my body just hasn’t allowed me to.

“For me being able to just swim butterfly is so special and something I’m so proud of ... to be able to go back to the event I grew up loving and doing is all the motivation I need.

“Unfortunately I’m the one who has to stand up and apologise and be made out to be the villain when all I've done is given everything to my sport and given everything to my country over this last eight-year period I’ve been in the Australian swimming team.”

Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon leave a training session on the Gold Coast on May 4, 2022. Picture: Backgrid

Cody Simpson is rumoured to be dating Emma McKeon, Kyle Chalmers' ex.

Simpson, who has been linked to a string of high-profile women including Miley Cyrus, Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid, and 11-time Olympic medallist McKeon are said to be “completely smitten” with each other, per The Daily Telegraph.

They’ve been spotted numerous times out and about on the Glitter Strip and travelling to training together each morning.

“They are absolutely together,” one swimming insider told The Daily Telegraph. “There is no doubt they are an item. They are training together under (coach) Michael Bohl and have fallen for one another.”

It seems their families approve, with Simpson’s younger sister Alli, mother Angie and father Brad all now following McKeon on Instagram.

There have been no reports about how Chalmers’ fling with McKeon ended.

Asked on Thursday night if Simpson had crossed his mind while making the decision to possibly swim the 100m butterly in Budapest, Chalmers bluntly replied: “No.”

“There’s six other guys in the race as well that are disappointed, right? For me, swimming is a cutthroat sport,” he continued.

Olympic swimming champion Emma McKeon. Picture: Toby Zerna

“You’ve got to finish in the top two to get the individual spot, and unfortunately I — well, not unfortunately, it’s my dream. It’s my dream to be a butterflier, I started out as a butterflier and I’ve always hoped to do butterfly.

“My body hasn’t allowed me as much to this point, so that’s nice, my body’s finally going OK. Like I said I want to swim it (the 100m butterfly) in Paris, so I’ve got to start practising and getting myself ready to do that.

“So for me, it’s not come into my mind at all. It comes into my mind like David Morgan for example, he’s been on the team for such a long period of time. Does it destroy his dream? It’s not something you take into account in an individual sport, unfortunately.”

Speaking to reporters after the race, Chalmers explained that he would make a final decision in the next couple of days after consulting his coach.

“Personally I think (going to worlds) is going to be the best thing for me personally moving forward,” Chalmers said.

“You can’t make me out to be the villain. Yeah, it’s unfortunate that it probably takes Cody’s spot away but it also takes away five other guys’ (places) who were in the race. It’s not just Cody.

Cody Simpson looks on after finishing third in the Mens 100 Metre Butterfly Final . (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“I think the hard thing is my training buddy Matt Temple is the Australian record holder who won his back to back title last night. There is no attention or hype around him which is for me what I struggle the most with. It’s great there is eyes on me and Cody. The eyes deserve to be on Matt Temple.”

Chalmers also posted a lengthy explanation on Instagram about his situation on Thursday night.

“Just wanting to clear the air and also keep this short. 7 weeks ago, I was not swimming and had no intentions of swimming this season if ever again. I needed too find myself away from the pool and find my love and enjoyment for swimming again,” Chalmers wrote.

“For me getting back in the pool, changing the stimulation and swimming some butterfly which I grew up doing helped me find that passion again! I’ve dreamed of being a butterflyer and racing it internationally my whole career, my body has just never allowed me to do so (it’s nice too finally have earned that opportunity).

“I can be made out to be the villain but just like everyone who stands behind the blocks I want to win and represent my country at the highest level. For me this is an exciting new chapter I’m about to embark on, that’ll keep me motivated, hungry and stimulated to be the best I can possibly be.

“I could continue on, but I just want to say a massive shoutout to the people who have stuck by me and been in my corner through this process. It really has not been easy for me physically, mentally and emotionally. I’ve learnt a lot about myself, and have refined who I am as a person, what I want in life and who I want in my life.

“I hope I can continue to make you all proud in and out of the pool. It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important too be nice.”

Regardless of whether or not Chalmers decides to go to the world championships, Simpson will likely still get to swim the 100m butterfly at the Commonwealth Games, where Australia is allowed to take three swimmers for each individual event.

Simpson will now have to wait until the end of the week for his selection to be resolved when the team is announced.

“That’s a dream come true,” he said after Wednesday’s race, while initially thinking his spot had been secured.

“I had a great swim this morning, so much progress from last year. I’ve just been busting my arse all year so it’s amazing to see results like this pay off. I was hoping to go a little quicker tonight but to scrape under is a real dream.

“I had no idea it was going to happen this meet so I’m through the roof.

“I only started training a little under two years after 10-11 years out of the water. I didn’t think I’d be remotely competitive, racing this year at the earliest. To potentially make a team already is just a bonus on the way to (the) Paris (Olympics).”