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Kyle Chalmers' bombshell reveal as Olympics stunned by insane act from Chinese swimming rival

The Aussie swimming great was praised for his classy act after an insane Olympics feat.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·5-min read

Kyle Chalmers has thrilled Aussie swim fans after he claimed the Paris Olympics won't be the last time we see him in the pool after producing a remarkable final push to win silver in the 100m freestyle. The swimming community was left in shock after China's Pan Zhanle obliterated his own world record in the final having recorded 46.40 seconds.

This was 0.40 seconds ahead of his previous world record and it showed as he stormed away from the field in what has been deemed a 'slow pool' at the Olympics. Pan's swim left the world gobsmacked considering he is the first swimmer at the Paris Olympics to break a world record.

Kyle Chalmers swimming and Chalmers poses with Pan Zhanle at the Olympics.
Kyle Chalmers (pictured right) said he won't retire from swimming just yet after coming second at the Olympics to China's Pan Zhanle who clocked a world record. (Getty Images)

And while all eyes were on Pan, Aussie fans were left thrilled for Chalmers after he captured his second-consecutive silver in the men's 100m freestyle with one of his best ever swims. Chalmers turned last heading into the back 50m for the sprint with hopes of a medal fading. But the 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medallist powered home to finish second with 47.48.

Some fans may have thought the 26-year-old would be calling it after the Paris Olympics, which is his third. Although a 'proud' Chalmers was thrilled with his performance and admitted he wasn't ready to give up competing in the pool at the Olympics.

Kyle Chalmers, Pan Zhanle and David Popovici celebrate with their medals.
Kyle Chalmers (pictured left) celebrates his silver with gold medallist Pan Zhanle (pictured centre) and David Popovici (pictured right). (Getty Images)

"This is not my last individual. I'm not retiring any time soon. I love it," he said after his race. "I think I'll continue on as long as I possibly can. But this race does mean a lot to me. It is really special.

"I am probably just lost for words with it really. I think coming in, really, having three guys having a faster PB with me and being able to stay controlled and calm and no the pressure and expectation is so much on me, but I'm really, really stoked with that. Yeah, I don't know what else to say. It is amazing. I'm very, very honoured."

Pan's world record left the swimming world in shock having smashed his own world record in a pool that has been deemed 'slow' by athletes and professionals. But Chalmers was all class after the race and praised his rival in Paris.

"I do everything I possibly can to win the race and trust everyone's doing the same as I am, staying true to the integrity of sport," Chalmers said about his rival. "I trust that ... he (Pan) deserves that gold medal."

Kyle Chalmers embraces Zhanle Pan at the Olympics.
Kyle Chalmers congratulates Zhanle Pan for winning the 100m freestyle final at the Olympics.

Chalmers was thrilled with his own race and admitted he couldn't have done more heading into the wall in the 100m freestyle final. “I did everything I possibly could. And I’m really proud of that performance,’ Chalmers added post-race.

“To get silver at my third Olympic Games, to be on the podium three consecutive times is something I’m going to be very proud of and no-one can ever take away from me.” And so were the Aussies back at home. Chalmers was praised for his brilliant swim. Chalmers was also praised for how he has carried himself at the Olympics.

While Chalmers featured on the podium for the 100m freestyle final, Mollie O'Callaghan was left devastated after missing out on a medal. O'Callaghan was favourite heading into the final after a brilliant swim in the 200m final, which saw her power past Ariarne Titmus, left fans excited for another Aussie medal.

Unfortunately, O'Callaghan just slightly missed out on a medal after Sarah Sjostrom powered to win with 52.16. "I expected a lot more," O'Callaghan said. "But at the end of the day you've got to suck it up and wait another four years."

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The young star admitted she struggled in the lead-up to the race. "I was really nervous heading into this, didn't have a lot of sleep over the past few days," she said. "I tried really hard to manage myself and get up for this but I knew 100 free was going to be hard because it's a lot about speed and that's something I really lack in. I knew it was going to be at tough race ... if you stuff something up, it costs you."

Zac Stubblety-Cook also won silver in the pool in the men's 200m breaststroke title. But wasn't able overcome superstar FrenchmanLeon Marchand who delivered an Olympic record in front of a raucous home crowd.