Young swimmers say Kyle Chalmers’s silver medal proof ‘you can always do what might not be possible’

Members of Kyle Chalmers’s first swim club in his South Australian hometown are ecstatic over his silver medal success this morning.

Children from the West Coast Swimming Club in Port Lincoln gathered at the pool to watch a live stream of Chalmers compete in the men’s 100-metre freestyle final at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Club coach Nicol Wright said when Chalmers won silver they celebrated by getting into the pool for their own morning laps.

She said Chalmers’s success had inspired many of them to dream of competing in the Olympics.

“[They] are the ones that are going to be targeting that as their ultimate goal,” Ms Wright said. 

“They’re poised for 2032 to be their Olympics in eight years’ time.”

Ms Wright said she “had butterflies from start to finish”while she watched the race, especially when Chalmers was eighth off the blocks and eighth at the 50m turn.

“Turning eighth was very scary, but you just knew he’d come home and I’m so glad he touched on the wall where he did,” she said.

“He had me worried, but he didn’t have me worried … he always comes back.

“I couldn’t believe it, it was an amazing race.”

Ms Wright said Chalmers would be received “with open arms” whenever he decided to retire and move back to Port Lincoln.

“He’d be more than welcome to come anywhere near the club,” she said.

“He doesn’t just inspire swimmers — there’re a lot of people in Port Lincoln that do all sorts of sports who look up to him.”

St Joseph’s School Port Lincoln student Ebony Wright, 11, said she woke up early to watch the race.

She said Chalmers’s success has inspired her to swim and aim for the Olympics.

“It feels good, especially because we’re a small town,” Ebony said.

“I think I could be in the pool [in 2032 in Brisbane] but if I’m not I’ll definitely be there watching and cheering on.”

Fellow student Mairead Hopkins, nine, said Chalmers showed what kids from regional towns could do.

“Since Kyle Chalmers, that set an example from a little town, you can become … facing the world, that’s pretty much what inspires me of how fun swimming can be,” she said.

“You can always do what might not be possible.”

Three Olympics, three medals, one proud dad

Chalmers’s father Brett told ABC Radio Adelaide he “couldn’t be any prouder”.

“To go to three Olympics, come home with three medals, is quite amazing,” Mr Chalmers said, speaking from Paris.

“Where I was sitting, we were near the start/finish line, but when I saw him turned eighth I thought it’s going to be an unbelievable feat to get a medal — but to finish second is quite astounding, to see what he can do from that distance away.

“He’s always had a really good second 50 and that showed again tonight.

“He should be super proud of his efforts — I know Australia is, I know I am.”

Mr Chalmers said he was not surprised to hear in the post-race interview that it was not going to be his son’s last independent race.

“Just with his body … he’s changed his whole race with plan with what he can and cannot swim,” he said.

“He’s 26 years old — he’s got to look after himself.

“If his mind is healthy, his body is healthy, well, why would you want to give up?

“He’s still got that hunger in his belly.”

City of Port Lincoln Council Mayor Diana Mislov said Chalmers’s result was “fantastic”.

“We love Kyle, we’re so proud of him here,” she said.

“Previously we have welcomed him here on the foreshore with a big … ticker tape parade.

“It was pouring with rain that day … but he was just a true trooper and autographed for everybody, had his photo taken with everyone, he’s just a man of the people.

“I look forward to one day having a statue of Kyle on our foreshore — you never know.”