Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Kyle Chalmers has confirmed he met with Port Adelaide and Geelong last year about a potential switch to AFL, but said he’s committed to swimming until at least 2024.
Chalmers came within 0.06 of defending his Rio 2016 100m freestyle gold medal, narrowly finishing in the silver medal position behind Caeleb Dressel.
The 23-year-old, who’s father Brett played for both Port Adelaide and Adelaide, has long being spoken about as a potential recruit once his swimming career is over, said he was committed to the sport until at least the Paris Olympics.
He said the experience in Tokyo has ultimately re-ignited his passion for swimming after an injury-hit build up to the rescheduled Games.
“There’s definitely interest in me playing football but it would be country football,” he said on Sportsday.
"I did meet with Geelong and Port Adelaide last year and have had those conversations about being a Category B rookie but I’m at the top of my game in swimming at the moment and I want to continue doing that.
"This Tokyo experience has made me hungrier as ever to get back there, I’m going to commit myself to swimming for the next three years.
"I’m still so young still and will be 26 in Paris (for the next Olympics) which is that prime time for swimming. Why not give it all I’ve got while I can and make the most of it?"
As well as his individual silver medal in Tokyo, Chalmers was part of Australia’s 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle relay teams which both picked up a bronze medal.