- Chalmers disclosed facing significant backlash over the ‘snub’
- States he has resolved misunderstandings with Chinese competitor Pan Zhanle
- Expresses eagerness to enhance his relationship with Pan
Kyle Chalmers has opened up about his discussions with his Chinese competitor Pan Zhanle, aiming to resolve the tension following accusations of a snub at the Paris Olympics.
Pan secured China’s first gold in the pool during the Paris event on Thursday morning (AEST), breaking a world record and leaving Chalmers behind.
In an interview with a Chinese news outlet post-race, Pan criticized Chalmers, claiming he snubbed him after finishing second in the unbalanced final.
This triggered a significant reaction on Chinese social media platform Weibo, which Statista notes has over 605 million users.
Chalmers acknowledged the backlash but confirmed that he has addressed the situation with Pan.
‘A tremendous amount of distress, which is definitely mentally taxing to handle,’ Chalmers informed News Corp.
‘However, I’m confident I’ve acted with respect, as I do with all my rivals.’
‘Throughout the years, I’ve developed strong relationships with fellow competitors, and I anticipate this will be no exception.
Kyle Chalmers discusses the backlash from the snub incident
Chalmers has communicated with rival Pan Zhanle to resolve tensions
‘I honestly look forward to building our camaraderie and pushing each other in fierce competitions over the coming years.
‘It’s currently 1-1. Last year, we faced off at the world championships where I triumphed, but this year he edged me out. I’m eager to see how our rivalry evolves next year.’
Chalmers mentioned he spoke to Pan regarding his remarks during a Chinese television interview, clarifying he harbored no negative feelings toward him.
‘Honestly, the past three to four days have been quite overwhelming,’ Chalmers shared.
‘I mentioned to him, ‘I’m not sure if you’ve come across the media buzz, but I find it a bit odd considering our positive interactions, and I can’t fully grasp why this is unfolding.
Chalmers claimed second place behind the Chinese champion in the 100m men’s freestyle final
‘He expressed, “I hold you in great regard as a competitor and individual”.
‘However, communication is tough since we clearly don’t share a common language. I don’t speak any Chinese, which makes dialogue challenging at best, but from my perspective, I have no concerns.
‘His performance the other night was remarkable, and I am honored to have participated in what is deemed the fastest race ever swum in the history of the 100m freestyle. It’s an incredible achievement.’
Chalmers’ newfound motivation during the Paris Games could be attributed to his new fiancée, Ingeborg Løyning.
The swimmer had faced a turbulent emotional journey during the 2022 Commonwealth Games due to a ‘love triangle’ controversy involving Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson.
That incident made Chalmers contemplate stepping away from the sport he adores, but he has emerged invigorated in Paris, fueled by his relationship with Løyning.
Though the athletes were absent from the opening ceremony along the River Seine in Paris, he has shared moments from within the Australian athlete’s village, including a heartfelt photo with Løyning.
‘My Norwegian princess,’ he captioned the picture adorned with a heart emoji.
Chalmers and Løyning announced their engagement in June this year, putting the ‘love triangle’ rumors to rest definitively.
