Kyle Chalmers may be set to deal pop star-turned-swimmer Cody Simpson a crushing blow, after revealing he’s now entertaining the prospect of competing in the swimming world championships.
Chalmers had made the decision to not compete at the world championships amid a break from the sport, but the Olympic gold medallist changed his mind after clinching the Australian 50m butterfly title on Thursday night.
Chalmers’ victory in the 50m butterfly followed his triumph in the 100m event on Wednesday night, in which Simpson achieved the world championships qualifying time but failed to finish in the top two, collecting third.
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Whether Simpson receives his ticket to the world championships, set to be held across June and July, depends on Chalmers’ call – and on Thursday night the Adelaide product had no sympathy for his rival.
“Swimming is a cut-throat sport,” Chalmers told Amazon Prime Video on the pool deck.
“You’ve got to finish in the top two to get the individual spot.
“It’s my dream to be a butterflyer. I started out as a butterflyer and I’ve always hoped to do butterfly. My body hasn’t allowed me as much to this point, so it’s nice my body’s finally going OK.”
Chalmers competed in freestyle at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, and the 23-year-old wants to add butterfly to his regime at the 2024 Paris Games.
At the Australian swimming championships in Adelaide, Chalmers finished second in the 100m butterfly final in 51.67 and conquered the 50m event in 23.21.
“I want to swim (butterfly) in Paris so I’ve got to start practising and getting myself ready to do that,” Chalmers said.
“So (Simpson missing out) hasn’t come into my mind at all.”
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