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Swimmer Kyle Chalmers fears for sport's future over low pay

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Australian swimmer Kyle Chalmers qualified for the Commonwealth Games but voiced concerns about the sport's financial viability for athletes.
  • Chalmers highlighted the significant sacrifices swimmers make for minimal financial reward, contrasting it with governing bodies profiting from athletes' images.
  • He expressed hope for changes to improve the sport's future for the next generation, citing personal financial struggles and comparing prize money to that offered in alternative events.

Kyle Chalmers, a decorated Australian swimmer, has voiced strong concerns about the financial future of his sport. After qualifying for the Commonwealth Games with a win in the 100m freestyle, Chalmers, a nine-time Olympic medalist, described swimming as a "hard sport" with "very little reward" for the immense sacrifices athletes make.

It's such a hard sport … you make a lot of very hard decisions and sacrifices for what I feel is very little reward. I really hope our governing bodies can actually start to create change.

— Kyle ChalmersSpeaking to reporters after winning the 100m freestyle at the Australian Swimming Trials.

Chalmers, 28, expressed frustration that despite swimmers voicing their concerns, little has changed. He pointed to governing bodies profiting from athletes' images and performances without athletes reaping the benefits. "It's very easy for a lot of us swimmers to voice our concerns but nothing seems to change," he told reporters.

It's very easy for a lot of us swimmers to voice our concerns but nothing seems to change and there's millions of dollars left in bank accounts [of] people using our image and our performances that we don't reap rewards of, which is unfortunate.

— Kyle ChalmersElaborating on the lack of change despite athlete concerns.

With a young family and a mortgage, Chalmers admitted the financial strain of being a competitive swimmer is significant. He noted that attending the trials alone cost him $5,000, and each race costs $36. He hopes his advocacy will lead to improvements for future generations, stating, "I don't see why you would choose this avenue, honestly, as sad as it is."

As a 28-year-old with a young family, and a mortgage, it's very hard to continue [as a swimmer].

— Kyle ChalmersDiscussing the personal financial pressures of being a competitive swimmer.

He also drew a comparison to the Enhanced Games, where athlete Hunter Armstrong reportedly earned $375,000 for two races. Chalmers stated he would have received less prize money for his 48 international medals. "So it's really sad to see how uneven it is," he said, highlighting the disparity in financial incentives within the sport.

We fund these things ourselves; for me to come to trials cost me $5,000, for me to race tonight cost me $36.

— Kyle ChalmersDetailing the personal costs associated with competing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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