Kyle Chalmers silences critics as Australia's 'love-triangle' swimming soap takes another twist

Kyle Chalmers, who is allegedly embroiled in a “love-triangle” with two team-mates, produced the perfect riposte to criticism in his native Australia by edging out England’s Tom Dean to clinch 100 metres freestyle gold.

The 24-year-old, who just missed out on the Olympic title last year, placed his fingers over his lips as his immediate celebration in the pool in a hushing action in response to the media furore that erupted on Saturday night when he was questioned regarding whether there was a split in the Australian camp.

Although the long-running soap Neighbours may have come to an end last week, the drama that has surrounded Chalmers' ex-girlfriend – Australia’s sweetheart of the pool Emma McKeon – now dating fellow swimmer Cody Simpson has provided plenty of entertainment for the Australian public. Simpson is no stranger to the limelight, having been a teen pop idol who dated Miley Cyrus and was even once seen as a potential successor to Justin Bieber in the teen-bopper heartthrob stakes.

The suggestions of a rift surfaced after Chalmers put his name down to swim in the butterfly – Simpson’s event – in the World Championships in Budapest last month. Members of the Australian press corps then claimed Chalmers had not congratulated McKeon on Friday night after the duo were part of the Australian side who won gold in the mixed relay. Chalmers went toe-to-toe with an Australian journalist on Saturday night when the allegations were put to him.

He has always claimed that any rift with McKeon and Simpson were “lies” concocted by the media and before last night’s race he had been candid about the impact of being cast as the villain on his mental health. There seemed no sign of animosity among the Australians as the whole team supported Chalmers, almost out cheering the partisan support for Dean and Scotland’s Duncan Scott, who claimed bronze. Chalmers was eager to explain the meaning of his victory celebration.

“It’s something I’d thought about. Normally I’d envision doing a more powerful celebration after a win, but that one was special. It probably means more than giving a fist-bump or tensing muscles. I hope that sends a powerful message,” he said. During an animated victory lap walking around the perimeter of the pool with Dean and Scott, Chalmers notably stopped smiling and waving as he passed by the press benches and quickened his step before resuming his chat with the Englishman and the Scot.

The South Australian, who came to fame as an 18-year-old at the Rio Olympics, winning at the same distance, went on to explain how the victory did not have the same feeling as he had hoped for when he set out for the Games. “It is a bitter-sweet feeling. Instead of enjoying the moment, there is a sense of relief. I hope I was able to inspire a lot of people at home going through similar things. I just hope no-one has to go through what I’ve had to in the last 48 hours.

“What matters is getting the gold medal. That took all my courage to race and it was all about getting my hand on the wall first. [The support from the Australian public] had been overwhelming and I love it. The last 48 hours has been hell, an emotional roller-coaster. Speaking to my coach beforehand, I almost started crying - and I’m not an emotional person.”

It was also a special night for McKeon who secured gold in the women’s 50 metres butterfly making the 28-year-old the most decorated swimmer in Commonwealth Games history. This only added to the sense of unity for the under fire Australian team.