They call him "King Kyle", but Port Lincoln swimming champion Kyle Chalmers is on the lookout for the next generation of athletic royalty.
The Olympic gold medallist was on hand at Port Lincoln High School today as part of the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) Talent Search program.
The program aims to unearth potential world-class athletes who could compete at the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.
Kyle Chalmers, Zhanle Pan, and David Popovici on the podium after the men's 100m freestyle. (Getty Images: Christian Liewig/Corbis/Corbi)
"It is hard to get to the very top, but I know there's so much talent out there in South Australia, and being a passionate South Australian, it's very important for me to try and identify that talent and open the pathway," Chalmers said.
"I had to go to Adelaide to have opportunities like this so it's special to see SASI is now coming out to country communities and giving everyone an opportunity."
He said while it was great SASI's talent search included Port Lincoln, the region could also do with investment in facilities.
"Port Lincoln always bats above its average in bringing swimming talent through," he said.
"Country towns could always do with better facilities. I know the swimming pool here has been here forever and hasn't changed that much since I was there."
Inspiring the next generation
Testing took place in both Whyalla and Port Lincoln this week, ranging from generic fitness testing to sport-specific activities, where young athletes could well discover that they excel in a sport they have never tried before.
Port Lincoln students listened intently as Kyle Chalmers spoke about his rise to Olympic gold after growing up in the regional town. (ABC Eyre Peninsula: Emma Pedler)
"If I was in Brisbane I would love to do basketball and netball probably, because of my height," 13-year-old Sybella Cragg-Sapsford said, already standing at nearly 6 foot.
"It's amazing to think of Kyle and how much he's accomplished.
"And to have SASI here to help us, it's amazing because we know what we need to improve on to be at the level to be able to go to the Brisbane Olympics."
The tests ranged from generic fitness testing to sport-specific activities. (ABC Eyre Peninsula: Emma Pedler)
Levi Miller, 15, agreed that meeting Chalmers had given him a boost.
"It gives me hope and inspiration, especially being from a small town," he said.
Olympic stars a long time in the making
The Australian Olympic team won 53 medals at Paris 2024, including 18 gold, making it our country's most successful games in terms of medals won.
And 40 per cent of this year's Olympic team came from regional areas.
Tom James says 40 per cent of this year's Olympic team came from regional areas. (ABC Eyre Peninsula: Emma Pedler)
With an Australian Olympics just eight years away, identifying talent now is crucial, according to SASI.
"We know that it typically takes about seven to 10 years to develop in an Olympic sport," SASI sports coordinator Tom James said.
"We know that country kids are more likely to be out in the open and get involved in sport and have a sense of community that really helps them on that pathway onto elite sport."
While Chalmers would love to still be competing at Brisbane 2032, he said he would be content with cheering on the next generation.
Kyle Chalmers gave the vertical jump test a go. (ABC Eyre Peninsula: Amelia Costigan)
"If I'm still swimming that would be very nice to go to a home Olympics," he said.
"But I'm a realist, I'm going to be 34 by then.
"There's some guys and girls here that are pretty quick over the 20-metre sprint and then some vertical jumps which are pretty mind blowing.
"It'll be cool to sit back and watch."