- Kyle Chalmers revealed why he reads articles about him
- The Olympic champion struggled to get noticed
- But he says negative press serves as motivation
Kyle Chalmers explained that reading articles about himself serves as motivation before big events.
Chalmers, unlike most athletes, embraces negative press, although he admitted to trying to stick to “swimming-based stories.”
“I wouldn’t say I’ve read everything, but I like to check out most of the things that are published for me,” he said. The vast world of 2GB sports.
“I was mostly reading them in articles about swimming where people were putting me down and saying I won’t do something or I won’t be successful at it, so I have a little more motivation to prove to those people that they are wrong.
Chalmers has spoken openly about his struggles in the spotlight last year, particularly when he was part of a supposed “love triangle” involving fellow swimmers Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson.
Kyle Chalmers explained why he reads articles about himself
Olympic champion says he uses negative press as motivation for big events
“It’s funny sometimes when you read people on Facebook who don’t know you at all and you end up at some point running into them and they’ll be really shitty to you and be super nice,” he said.
“It’s a tough world and I think that’s the hardest thing about sports.
“I’m a swimmer, I grew up in the country, obviously I’m a good swimmer and then your life becomes a public life just because that’s the skill you have.
“You don’t learn to deal with things like that, you just have to grow, adapt and learn that way. It’s really, really difficult and something I struggle with sometimes.
Chalmers broke through at the age of 18 when he won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He has failed to win the top prize since, but insists he wouldn’t change any part of his course.
Chalmers burst onto the scene aged 18, but struggled with ‘dark days’
“I think I’ve grown so much as a person and I’ve learned so much about myself and I think that’s all part of being an athlete, the ups and downs of sports,” a- he declared.
“There are definitely dark days in everyone’s life and athletes are no different.
“There have definitely been some very, very big challenges, but it’s something that has to be faced. I’m glad I experienced that and it made me who I am today.
