2016 Olympic Champion in the men’s 100m freestyle, Kyle Chalmers, leads the pack of Australian swimmers honored yesterday with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to sport. In addition to his individual Olympic title, the 18-year-old also scored bronze as a member of his nation’s 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays while in Rio. Chalmers’ OAM recognition is just one of several major acknowledgements the teen has received since returning to his South Australia home. He was awarded Swimming Australia’s Golden Moment of the Year Award and received the Olympic Program Swimmer of the Year.
On his OAM acknowledgement, young Chalmers stated, “My swimming idols like Ian Thorpe have an OAM – these are guys who have achieved so much in the sport.
“It is really special for me to get an OAM beside my name. It is something I never dreamed of. It’s overwhelming and I did not expect it. It was a whirlwind year. I never thought I’d be an Olympic gold medallist at 18 and to cap that off with an OAM is special.”
Chalmers’ teammates Mack Horton, Madison Wilson, Bronte Campbell and Emma McKeon were also honored with OAM, with Horton representing the other individual gold medalist in Rio. He won the men’s 400m freestyle early on at the Olympic Games, while the aforementioned women were 3 members of the 4x100m freestyle relay in Rio. Members Cate Campbell and Brittany Elmslie were previously OAM recipients.
AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS LIST – OLYMPIANS
Kimberley Jean BRENNAN Rowing, Women’s Single Sculls (AM)
Thomas Michael BURTON Sailing (Laser) (OAM)
Chloe Jeannie ESPOSITO Modern Pentathlon (OAM)
Catherine Ann SKINNER Women’s Trap, Shooting (OAM)
Nicole Elise BECK Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Charlotte Emily CASLICK Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Emilee Jane CHERRY Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Chloe Elysha DALTON Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Gemma ETHERIDGE Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Ellia Tiriseyani GREEN Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Shannon Michelle PARRY Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Evania Faaea Sarona PELITE Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Alicia Jane QUIRK Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Emma Kate TONEGATO Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Amy Justine Desma TURNER Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Sharni Maree WILLIAMS Women’s Rugby Sevens (OAM)
Kyle Brett CHALMERS Swimming, Men’s 100m Freestyle (OAM)
Mackenzie James HORTON Swimming, Men’s 400m Freestyle (OAM)
Madison Maree WILSON Swimming, Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay (OAM)
Bronte Lynn CAMPBELL Swimming, Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay (OAM)
Emma Jennifer McKEON Swimming, Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay (OAM)
Dale Nygel BEGG-SMITH Men’s Moguls Skiing, Torino 2006 (OAM)