Olympic Champion Reveals Why He Reads EVERY Article About Him… Even On His ‘Dark Days’
- Kyle Chalmers has revealed why he reads articles about him
- The Olympic champion has difficulty with the spotlight
- But he says negative press serves as motivation
Kyle Chalmers has explained that reading articles about himself serves as motivation for big events.
Chalmers, unlike most athletes, embraces the negative press, although he admitted he tried to stick to “swimming-based articles.”
“I wouldn’t say I read everything, but I enjoy seeing most of the things that are put out in front of me,” he said 2GB’s wide sports world.
“I read them mainly in articles about swimming, where people put me down and say I’m not going to do something or I’m not going to achieve this, so then I have that extra bit of motivation to prove those people wrong.”
Chalmers has spoken openly about how he struggled in the spotlight last year, especially when he was part of a so-called ‘love triangle’ involving fellow swimmers Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson.
Kyle Chalmers has explained why he reads articles about himself
The Olympic champion says he uses negative press as motivation for major events
“It’s funny sometimes to read through the Facebook stuff of people who don’t know you at all and you’ll meet them at some point and they’ll really suck you in and be super nice,” he said.
‘It’s a challenging world and I think that’s the hardest thing about sports.
‘I’m a swimmer, I grew up in the country, I’m obviously a great swimmer and then your life becomes a public life just because that’s the skill you have.
‘You don’t learn how to deal with those things, you just have to grow and adapt and learn that way. It’s definitely quite a challenge and it’s something I struggle with sometimes.”
Chalmers made his breakthrough as an 18-year-old, winning gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016. He has since failed to win the top prize, but insists he would not change any part of his journey.
Chalmers appeared on the scene as an 18-year-old, but struggled with ‘dark days’
“I think I’ve grown so much as a person and learned so much about myself. I think it’s all part of being an athlete, the highs and lows of the sport,” he said.
“There are definitely dark days in everyone’s lives and athletes are no different.
“There have definitely been very, very big challenges, but it’s something you have to face. I’m glad I experienced it and that it made me who I am today.’