Australian champion Kyle Chalmers has announced he has no plans to quit the Olympics after an epic fightback to win 100m freestyle silver behind a record-setting rival.
All the talk leading into the final was that the 26-year-old was in his last individual race at an Olympics, despite only previously saying he was not likely to swim at Los Angeles 2028.
He was inspired to shut down the broadcaster’s claims that he was done following an incredible race won by China’s Pan Zhanle.
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Chalmers, who won gold at Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo three years ago, could only watch as Pan’s comfortable victory in 46.40 seconds smashed his own world record by four tenths.
The Aussie missed the start and was eighth at the halfway mark but a huge second leg pulled him back onto the podium — he touched 1.08 seconds short of the new champion — for the third time in his career in this event.
“I did everything I possibly could and I’m really proud of that performance,” Chalmers told Nine poolside.
“Silver at my third Olympic Games, to be on the podium three consecutive times, it’s something I’m going to be very, very proud of and no one can ever take from me.”
Asked how it felt to finish his individual program at the Olympics on the podium, Chalmers was adamant “this is not my last” appearance.
“I’m not retiring any time soon. I think I’ll continue on as long as I possibly can,” Chalmers confirmed.
“This race does mean a lot to me. It is really special. I’m just lost for words.
“Coming in, after having three guys having faster PBs than me, staying controlled and calm … I’m just really, really stoked with that. I don’t know what else to say.”
The news that he would swim on came as a bombshell to the Australian commentators given they had sold it as his last race throughout the broadcast.
“Isn’t that just the best news you’ve ever heard?” Ian Thorpe said immediately after the interview.
Chalmers last year said on radio he was “definitely” done with the Olympics after Paris 2024 and “ready to start the next chapter in my life”.
Later that day he was emphatic in clarifying “I am NOT RETIRING” from swimming, adding Paris would be his third and “most likely last” Olympics before leaving it up in the air.
“(Los Angeles) 2028 is a very long way away, but who knows, if the body and the mind hold up maybe I’ll even be in Brisbane in 2032,” Chalmers wrote.
After his Paris silver medal, Chalmers reflected on his journey from a “very young and naive” gold medallist to an even prouder runner-up.
He needed multiple cortisone injections to manage a back injury in qualifying for the Olympics.
“(In Rio) I didn’t know what it meant to be an Olympian or to be an Olympic champion,” Chalmers said.
“And then I had to work so hard and go through so much to get to Tokyo and to come away with silver there, that is probably the highlight of my swimming career.
“And then to back it up again this year, it’s so special to be an Olympian and be recognised as an Olympic champion.
“My biggest goal now is just inspiring the next generation of swimmers coming through.”
Earlier, Zac Stubblety-Cook similarly fought back to win silver in the 200m breaststroke as France’s extraordinary home hero Leon Marchand took gold — and the Aussie’s Olympic record in the process.
Marchand’s triumph, in 2:05.85, was his second of the night after claiming gold in the 200m butterfly less than two hours before the 200m breaststroke final.
He had already won the 400m individual medley, too, and will go for gold in the 200m individual medley over the next two days.
In the 200m breaststroke final, Stubblety-Cook moved into the podium positions by the halfway point but his ability to finish strong wasn’t enough as he finished 0.94 seconds short of Marchand.
“It was an awesome race. The French crowd and the French favourite was unbelievable,” the Australian said.
“I did my best swim so I can’t complain and I’m absolutely stoked with a silver medal.”
Stubblety-Cook, who won gold in Tokyo in front of an empty stadium, said he “enjoyed the moment” with the crowd making noise all the way through the race.
The 25-year-old paid tribute to girlfriend and dual Olympic swimming medallist Leah Neale.
“It’s my partner’s birthday today back home (Thursday) so it’s kind of funny. Happy birthday Leah,” he said.
Australia’s Josh Yong finished eighth in the final.
