Kyle Chalmers opens up about his new life as a tradie – as the swimming champ gears up for the Paris Olympics
Australian swimming champion Kyle Chalmers has swapped his trunks for a high-vis vest as he explores a new career as a tradie.
The Olympic gold medalist revealed he recently picked up the tools for a part-time job in Adelaide.
“This year I challenged myself to put myself out there in the workforce, something I’ve never done before,” he told the In Your Lane Podcast.
Australian swimmer Kyle Chalmers (pictured) does part-time work in Adelaide
“I worked a few days a week on a construction site in an area where I have never worked a day in my life.”
The 25-year-old admitted that the move into the workforce had been a challenge, but added that the move had helped him reconnect with himself as he prepared for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
‘It’s something I love and it takes me out of my comfort zone. Just finding the person of Kyle again and reconnecting with myself,” he said.
‘I like to be high-vis because if I walk around in my normal clothes, people will know who I am.
‘Everywhere I go, I am sometimes stopped or looked at like an animal in a zoo.
“I’ve got the bald head now, I’ve got the long tattoos and the high-viz, people just think I’m another tradie.”
Chalmers said he’s “found his calling” with the tool and said it might even be part of what he wants to do after he’s done with the pool.
The 25-year-old admitted that the move into the workforce had been a challenge, but added that the move had helped him reconnect with himself as he prepared for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Chalmers, from Port Lincoln, about 400 miles west of Adelaide, has previously hinted the Paris Games could be his last Olympics but plans to compete in the world championships.
He shot to fame and put his name on the map when he claimed gold in the 100m freestyle at the Rio Games in 2016 at the age of 18.
The South Australian took silver in the event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Chalmers (pictured) rose to fame after taking home the gold medal in the 100m freestyle at the 2016 Rio Games
At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Chalmers broke several records in the swimming pool, taking home three gold medals in the 200m freestyle, 4x100m medley relay and 4x200m freestyle relay.
He backed that up by winning a gold, silver and bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships.
He does not rule out participation in Los Angeles, where the 2028 Olympic Games will take place.