Emblazoned in German across Kyle Chalmers’ chest are the words: “nur die starken überleben”, which translates as “only the strong survive”. But the Australian is much more than a survivor in the world of swimming. He has a competitive record that few can match, with Olympic gold and silver in the blue riband 100m freestyle, and is intent on extending that run at his third Olympics in Paris.
There is a tinge of defiance as well as the nod to resilience in that tattoo, which reflects Chalmers’ time as one of the world’s fastest men in water. He has overcome more adversity than most and will have to do so again if he is to mount the Olympic podium for a third time.
