Australian swimmer Kyle Chalmers has made headlines in Paris by breaking the 100 meter freestyle world record during the 4x100 meter relay at the World Swimming Championships. Chalmers, who Kyle Chalmers Sets World Record with an impressive 46.59 seconds in his leg of the relay, beat the current record by 0.21 seconds. Despite this performance, his time will not be counted as an official world record.

Chalmers, who is 26 years old and nicknamed "Big Tuna" was part of the Australian team that won the silver medal. They finished behind the USA, which took gold. Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe praised Chalmers calling his swim "the best relay I've ever seen."

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Image Source: Paris 2024 Olympic Games

China’s Pan Zhanle holds the official 100-meter world record with a time of 46.80 seconds, set earlier this year. According to World Aquatics rules, only the first swimmer in a relay can set an official record. This regulation stems from the fact that the first swimmer starts from a still position, while subsequent swimmers have an advantage due to their motion from the previous leg.

Chalmers' Impressive Relay Performance

Kyle Chalmers, known for his prowess in the pool, already holds the short-course 100-meter freestyle world record with a time of 44.84 seconds. He is now one of the favorites for the individual 100-meter event at the La Defense Arena in Paris. Chalmers' relay performance, where he swam the last part of the race, was a crucial factor in Australia securing the silver medal. The team was trailing behind the USA for most of the race, but Chalmers delivered a stunning final leg that significantly improved their position.

His swim was 0.21 seconds faster than the existing world record, but due to the nature of relay events, it won't be officially recognized. The unique challenges of swimming in a relay, with the slight advantage of being in motion for the subsequent swimmers, mean that official records can only be set by the lead-off swimmer.

Chalmers’ Career and Personal Challenges

Chalmers has faced several challenges throughout his career, including personal struggles and controversies. In 2022, he almost quit swimming due to rumors involving his teammates Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon. The false stories surrounding him led to significant stress and made him contemplate leaving the sport. However, he chose to continue and remains focused on his swimming career.

In the relay race at the World Swimming Championships, despite not achieving an official record, Chalmers’ performance was widely praised. Ian Thorpe, an Australian swimming legend, hailed it as the best relay swim he had ever seen. Thorpe's endorsement underscores the magnitude of Chalmers' achievement, even if it does not officially alter the record books.

Australia's swimming team has a storied history of success, and recent performances continue to highlight their strength. In addition to Chalmers' remarkable relay swim, Australian swimmers excelled in other events. In the women's 200-meter freestyle, Ariarne Titmus won silver while Mollie O’Callaghan claimed gold. O’Callaghan's race was particularly impressive; she had a strong start and maintained her lead throughout the competition.

Former Olympic champion Adrian Moorhouse praised O’Callaghan’s performance as stunning, particularly in the last 50 meters of the race. Olympic bronze medal swimmer Steve Parry also commented on O’Callaghan’s win, noting its impressive nature given the intensity of the final moments.

In conclusion, while Kyle Chalmers' achievement in the relay will not be officially recognized as a world record, it remains a significant milestone in his career and a testament to his exceptional swimming ability. His performance, alongside the achievements of other Australian swimmers, continues to contribute to the nation's esteemed reputation in the sport.

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