Swim king Kyle Chalmers opens up on devastating mental health toll of love triangle controversy as he prepares to become a first-time father

Australian swimming champion Kyle Chalmers has opened up about some of the mental health challenges he faced during the 'love triangle' drama.

Chalmers, 27, went through a rollercoaster of emotions at the 2022 Commonwealth Games as claims of a 'love triangle' emerged between himself, ex-girlfriend Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson.

The ordeal tested him emotionally and led to Chalmers seriously considering quitting the sport he loves.

'It definitely impacted my mental health and wellbeing, and it kind of made me be like, "Do I actually want to put myself through this," and, "This is not what I signed up for to be a swimmer",' Chalmers told Body+Soul.

'I love swimming. I love representing my country at the highest level. But I don't want to talk about my personal life and then have that criticised in front of the world.

'As a young person in sport, you get into it for the love of sport; you don't ever think you're going to have to deal with these things.'

Chalmers, who has previously said he was considering giving everything up to play country footy, revealed Aussie athletes of all stripes reached out to him.

'I received a lot of love from amazing athletes around Australia, and the world,' he said.

'Sam Kerr and Patrick Dangerfield reaching out to me was crazy, and Michael Clarke also, someone I grew up idolising.

'There were a lot of athletes in my corner supporting how I was feeling.'

Chalmers is now engaged to Norwegian swimmer fiancée Ingeborg Løyning and expecting his first child.

He says his life has already changed in many ways. 

'You're quite selfish as an athlete, because you've always got to put yourself first,' he said.

'It's always prioritising your sleep and your recovery, and what you're eating and your plan for the day, to get the best out of yourself in the pool.

'Whereas now, it's already no longer about me. I'm prioritising my fiancee, how she's feeling in the pregnancy and doing what I can to support her through this period. 

'And then eventually, it's going to be prioritising the baby, and the athlete will come second.'

After his swimming career is over, he plans to complete his trade qualifications and return to his childhood home of Port Lincoln.

He and Ingeborg are also excited about the Chalmers Swim Academy they have started, which will also offer mental health support alongside first-class virtual coaching.

'I don't want the next generation of swimmers to have to go through what I've gone through with the media,' he said.

'I want them to feel comfortable, rather than feeling criticised and fearing what the media could say or do.'

Chalmers is still passionate about swimming and will surely be lighting up the pool again soon.

'Brisbane 2032 could be an option if I'm still loving it and enjoying my sport,' he said.