Chalmers Says He Is 'not Retiring Anytime Soon' After Freestyle Medal

SYDNEY, Aug 1 (Bernama-dpa) -- Australian swimming great Kyle Chalmers on Wednesday dispelled rumours that he was on the verge of retirement after grabbing a silver medal in the 100-metre freestyle in Paris, the German news agency (dpa) reported.

Chalmers finished in 47.40 seconds to win silver behind China's Pan Zhanle, who set a new world record of 46.40 seconds. Romania's David Popovici claimed bronze - his second medal in Paris after 200m freestyle gold.

After emerging from the pool, the 26-year-old was asked by an Australian journalist how he felt after completing the last individual event of his career.

"This is not my last individual [event]," Chalmers quickly answered. "I am not retiring anytime soon. I love it, I think I will continue on as long as I possibly can."

The Australian said he was "really proud" of his performance.

"To get silver at my third Olympic Games, to be on the podium three consecutive times is something I'm gonna be very, very proud of."

Last year, Chalmers made headlines in Australia after saying on radio that the Paris Games would likely be his last Olympics, though he did quickly stress he wasn't on the verge of retirement.

"Probably it will be the last Olympics definitely for me," the 1998-born athlete told SEN 1170 Breakfast at the time.

"I'll be 26 next year, even this year being in the marshalling room, I am the oldest in my race... there are guys who were born in 2003 or 2004,... I am definitely the old man in the marshalling room," he said.

As news of the comments began making headlines around the country, the 2016 Olympic champion took to Instagram to clarify that he didn't mean to say he would be retiring.

"Click bait media working hard again.. I am NOT RETIRING!! The quote was 'It will be my last Olympics'," Chalmers said in a post. 

"There are many competitions after the Olympics that still give me the opportunity to represent my country at the highest level... I'll be busy, I have plenty of titles that need defending."

Chalmers went on to say that "Paris will be my third and most likely last Olympic Games. 2028 is a very long way away, but who knows, if the body and mind hold up maybe I'll even be in Brisbane in 2032."

At just 18 years old, Chalmers won gold in the blue ribbon men's 100m freestyle event at the Rio Olympics, followed by a silver in Tokyo in 2021.

In Paris, Chalmers also won silver in the 4x100 freestyle relay on Saturday. He has four more relay bronze medals from relay events in Rio and Tokyo.

-- BERNAMA-dpa